Tiverton’s Historic High Hill Point and Its Lighthouse Home
Tiverton, Rhode Island's High Hill Point has an incredible view of the Sakonnet River. There is also a bird's eye view of Aquidneck Island to the west across the river.
That vantage point made High Hill Point an asset to the Colonial Army, which established a fortification to keep an eye on British forces occupying Newport from 1776 to 1779 during the American Revolution.
According to the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, "In July 1778, several anchored British ships, including the sloop-of-war Kingfisher, were set on fire when two French frigates entered the Sakonnet. The Kingfisher drifted to High Hill, where it was blown up by British explosives near the shore."
American and British forces fought an inconclusive battle for control of Newport in what became known as the Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778.
British General Charles Grey and 4,000 of his men were en route to the conflict in Newport when the American forces fled.
Grey was diverted to Buzzards Bay and attacked the ports of New Bedford, Fairhaven and Martha's Vineyard instead.
Since the Revolutionary War, High Hill Point, described in a 2016 Providence Journal piece as a "picturesque riverfront neighborhood" south of Fogland Beach, has developed to include many multi-million dollar homes.
At the tip of a private way on High Hill Point sits a private residence known as the Lighthouse. While designed to resemble a lighthouse, it is not an actual lighthouse.
Though access to much of High Hill Point is restricted, the Lighthouse is visible from Fogland Beach.
The Providence Journal reports the Lighthouse sold for $4.4 million in May 2006. Can you imagine what it might be worth in today's real estate market?
This Cape Cod Beach House Comes with its Own Lighthouse
Gallery Credit: Jolana Miller
The 15 Coolest Lighthouses Along the SouthCoast and Cape Cod
Gallery Credit: Maddie Levine