NEWS

10 interesting facts about Block Island

1. The Town of New Shoreham and Block Island are coextensive, that means the town is the whole island! About 1000 people live there year round. Here are the Mohegan Bluffs which are large clay cliffs about 150 feet high, located on the southern shore of Block Island. Providence Journal Photo/David DelPoio
1. The Town of New Shoreham and Block Island are coextensive, that means the town is the whole island! About 1000 people live there year round. Here are the Mohegan Bluffs which are large clay cliffs about 150 feet high, located on the southern shore of Block Island. Providence Journal Photo/David DelPoio
The Providence Journal
4. The Island has its own shark tournament that draws fishman from near and far. On Friday July 13, 2018 Block Island, the annual Block Island Giant Shark Tournament took place at Payne's Dock where crews get their sharks weighed in while crowds watched the action. A 289 lb. thresher shark was hoisted into the air as onlookers watched the weigh in. The shark was caught by the crew aboard "Tonichris II" out of Montauk, NY, captained by Colin Kelly. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
4. The Island has its own shark tournament that draws fishman from near and far. On Friday July 13, 2018 Block Island, the annual Block Island Giant Shark Tournament took place at Payne's Dock where crews get their sharks weighed in while crowds watched the action. A 289 lb. thresher shark was hoisted into the air as onlookers watched the weigh in. The shark was caught by the crew aboard "Tonichris II" out of Montauk, NY, captained by Colin Kelly. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
The Providence Journal
6. Block Island has its own Film festival.
6. Block Island has its own Film festival.
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5. President Eisenhower visited there in the 1950's.
5. President Eisenhower visited there in the 1950's.
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5. The National Hotel is is on the national register of historic places. The Providence Journal/ Sandor Bodo
5. The National Hotel is is on the national register of historic places. The Providence Journal/ Sandor Bodo
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8. The American burying beetle is a rare species and Block Island is one of the few places in the United States it is found. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
8. The American burying beetle is a rare species and Block Island is one of the few places in the United States it is found. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
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3. The Block Island Ferry aided in the rescue on Jan. 15., 2009, of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger's US Airways plane after it landed in the Hudson River. The Athena, a Block Island ferry, and other vessels, pulled passengers from the wings and frigid water. AP Photo
3. The Block Island Ferry aided in the rescue on Jan. 15., 2009, of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger's US Airways plane after it landed in the Hudson River. The Athena, a Block Island ferry, and other vessels, pulled passengers from the wings and frigid water. AP Photo
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7. The first offshore wind farm in the United State is off Block Island. [The Providence Journal, file / Sandor Bodo]
7. The first offshore wind farm in the United State is off Block Island. [The Providence Journal, file / Sandor Bodo]
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9. The Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarter is the 45th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
9. The Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarter is the 45th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
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2. There are two light houses on the Island. Here, a blanket of fog moves in over North Light on Block Island. The other, unsurprisingly, is called Southeast Light. Journal photo by Bob Breidenbach
2. There are two light houses on the Island. Here, a blanket of fog moves in over North Light on Block Island. The other, unsurprisingly, is called Southeast Light. Journal photo by Bob Breidenbach
The Providence Journal
10. Block Islanders love music ! There is a vibrant music program on Block Island due to efforts by teacher Megan Hennessy and Carrie Todd, a business woman on the island who give private piano lessons. 91 year old Steve Robison is still active in the music scene on Block Island, here playing his clarinet at is home. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
10. Block Islanders love music ! There is a vibrant music program on Block Island due to efforts by teacher Megan Hennessy and Carrie Todd, a business woman on the island who give private piano lessons. 91 year old Steve Robison is still active in the music scene on Block Island, here playing his clarinet at is home. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach]
The Providence Journal