Squantum Association
The Squantum Association is a private club in East Providence, Rhode Island on 947 Veterans Memorial Parkway. Its main Club House overlooks the Providence River on a rocky promontory. This Colonial Revival building was constructed in 1900 by Martin & Hall and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The brick bakehouse was built in 1899 and has weathered numerous hurricanes from its lofty perch right on the rocky coast. The "Cottage" is the oldest building on the property and was originally built as a billiard hall. Also surviving from the 19th century is the club office, formerly the manager's residence.
History
As with Squantum Point in Quincy, Massachusetts, Squantum Point in Riverside was named in honor of the influential and welcoming Native American, Squanto, who was a guide and translator for the Mayflower settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Squantum Point in Quincy was so-named for him in the 18th century. Additional indigenous names were given to prominent points in Rhode Island such as Nayatt Point in Barrington, Conimicut Point in Warwick and Watchemoket Cove in East Providence.In 1870, two groups of local men purchased Squantum Point to serve as a gathering spot to perfect their clambake. In the two decades prior to this purchase, Providence merchants and sea captains would row and sail from Providence to a small island just south of Squantum Point for their clambakes. When, in time, the island's owner objected, Shubael Cady, the club's first president, purchased Squantum Point. The island has had various names it was not commercially viable and was dismantled after one summer. The "way", or rail that was used to launch the boat out into the cove is still visible at the neap low tides a couple of times a year. Paul R. Williams, the Squantum Association Club Historian is conducting additional research into this event. Ormsbee's son and grandson later were among the first members of the Squantum Association.