History

Bill Whelan has graciously allowed us to present his book on the history of the Highlands here. Anyone living in the Highlands (or Bristol) will find this a fascinating read.

Bill tells us that "The book was written to show the character of the early settlers, all their generosity and purpose. These traits carried over to the second wave of settlers, those coming after 1950 and every bit as willing to extend themselves for the settlement and ensure its survival. These were not petty people. Besides this, there was the idea of having the other summer colonies - Touisset Point, Bonnet Shores & Plum Beach -do their own histories and so allow us to appreciate a Narragansett Trilogy or Narragansett Quartet."

He notes near the end of his book, "In 1966 The Highlander said that there 'can be no place the world over with a more breathtaking, ever-changing, and varied end of the day scene.' And all this in a town 'that reigns on the shores of Narragansett Bay, queenly and cool in the lee of the northwest wind, while managing at the same time to be as warm in spirit and colorful as a Mediterranean village.' ”

Click below to access the entire book in pdf format (you must be a BHIA member to access).