In A Newport Minute | 1806-1815

This video is the 4th in our series, In A Newport Minute, created by the Newport Historical Society as part of Newport’s contribution to America Turns 250. Each installment highlights a moment in American history within a ten‑year span, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day.

Across these 25 short videos, we’ll explore how Newport grew, adapted, and evolved alongside the nation—sometimes in step with national events, sometimes in its own unique way. Our goal is to bring local history to life and show how our community’s story fits into the larger American narrative.

We invite you to follow along every two weeks as we share new chapters in Newport’s past.

Overview

This video recounts the historical development of Canal Street in Newport, tracing its origins to early 19th-century industrialization. It explains how a toll road and the Sugar River’s water power attracted mills, prompting residential and commercial growth that shifted the town center toward what became Main Street.

The narrative focuses on Col. James D. Walcott’s 1813 cotton mill and his later canal project with William Cheney, describing the canal’s role in powering diverse mills and the long-lived industrial community that produced numerous goods until the canal was eventually filled and largely lost to history.

All of the videos in the series can be viewed using the link below:

Sources:

• Article in Argus Champion – May 19, 1993 p.17.
• Newport Historical Society – Archives

Key Words:

Canal Street, Newport, James D. Walcott, William Cheney, cotton mill, mechanized manufacturing, Sugar River, mills, water power, toll road, industrialization, Main Street, canal, factory, McElwain Shoe Factory, International Shoe, tannery, hosiery, linseed oil mill, woolen mills, mass production, residential growth, commercial growth, cottage industries, 19th century, industrial archaeologist, manufacturing, economic development

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