Rose Island, 1675 – Present

Located in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, Rose Island has a rich history. As part of the Narragansett Nation territory, the island may have been used seasonally by Native Americans. Rose Island was purchased by European settlers from the Native Americans at the end of the seventeenth century and was developed by the end of the eighteenth century as part of the defense system of Narragansett Bay. This development extended into the twentieth century ending after World War II. Since 1985, the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust has operated the island and it is open to the public.