History
The Narragansett Indians were the first inhabitants of Block Island as evidenced by remains that date back thousands of years. Their name for the Island was "Manisses," the "Island of the Little God."

In 1614, Adrian Block, a Dutch explorer, sailed to the Island and gave it his name. He called it Block Island. It was in1661 that the Island was settled.

In 1829, the federal government built the Island's first lighthouse on Sandy Point. Four lighthouses have since been built at this location. The present lighthouse, the Northlight, was built in 1867 and is currently open as a Maritime Center.

In 1873, the Southeast Light was built on the cliffs 150 feet above sea level. It cost $75,000. In 1993, the Southeast Light was moved back 200 feet to escape the eroding bluffs. It was the largest building to be moved in one piece.

In 1971, the Block Island Conservancy was formed to preserve open space. Rodman's Hollow, a depression left by the glaciers, was one of the first sites to be preserved. Today about 25 percent of Block Island land is protected open space.

The Oceanview Hotel, the largest hotel on Block Island, was built in 1872 by Nicholas Ball. He made his fortune in the California Gold Rush of the 1840's. President Ulysses S. Grant stayed at the Oceanview Hotel and held a special session with the U.S. Supreme Court so its members would not have to interrupt their vacations by returning to Washington. The Oceanview burned to the ground in 1966.

In 1986, the Block Island Land Trust was formed. Through funds gained from a 3 percent land transfer fee on all real estate transactions, the Land Trust buys and maintains land on Block Island for open space.

In 1990, the town Council hired a town manager to run the town. The Island government consists of a town manager and staff, which act at the direction of an elected five-member town council. The Island has a volunteer fire and rescue force, a medical center, a transfer station, a bank and ATM, and a weekly newspaper full of local news and events.