Papers Relative to the Layout of Streets
1737-1867
RG 120
These records detail the expansion of Providence's street infrastructure as it grew from its initial settlement base on the city's East Side to other parts of the city. Contained in these manuscript records are town and city council resolutions ordering the establishment of highways and streets, petitions by various groups of citizens for the layout of new streets or the grading or widening of existing streets. Some records contain maps and proposed street layouts in some instances with elevations of existing homes and commercial buildings.
Most of these records were culled from Town Council or City Council papers by archivists some thirty years ago. Current processing of town and City Council papers has revealed large groups of manuscript records relating to street layouts that are not part of the above-mentioned collection. Also, the City Archives contains 85 bound volumes of "Plats of Streets" that offer very detailed renderings of street expansions, curb specifications as well as lot dimensions, building footprints and property owner identification along specific streetscapes.
Scope and Content
This collection is current housed in thirteen boxes organized alphabetically by street. This manuscript collection covers the period from 1837 to 1867. Additional information can be found by accessing the Board of Alderman and City Council Papers, currently being processed, as well as the minutes and meeting records of the Providence Town Council.
Size: 3 linear feet
Record Group: 120
Inventory List (.pdf)