The Little Compton Blog

Goodyear Tires, Exide Batteries, and a 2-digit phone number. A slice of Little Compton history from 1934.   A Snapshot of 1934: Frank S. Flores and the Little Compton Garage Flipping through the pages of the 1934 Summer Locater —published nearly a century ago by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society—is like stepping straight into a time capsule. Amidst the advertisements for local inns, farms, and markets, one modest ad immediately catches the eye: a simple, crisp feature for the Little Compton Garage , run by proprietor Frank S. Flores . Back in the summer of '34, America was deep in the grips of the Great Depression, but life in Little Compton kept rolling along—quite literally. As automobiles became an everyday essential rather than a novelty, having a trusted local mechanic was vital for both full-time residents and summer visitors navigating our coastal roads. "Service With A Smile" The ad captures a wonderful slice of local automotive history: The Slogan: ...

A look back at the 1934 Summer Locater ad for Pierce’s Garage—offering gasoline, motor oils, road service, and repairs to local motorists! Flipping through the pages of the 1934 Little Compton Summer Locater , it’s easy to get transported back to a time when motoring down Sakonnet Point Road was a whole different experience. Back in the 1930s, as automobiles became the standard mode of transport for summer visitors and year-round residents alike, local businesses stepped up to meet every roadside need. One prominent fixture catering to drivers was Pierce’s Garage , operated by proprietor John F. Pierce. Located directly on Sakonnet Point Road , Pierce’s Garage served as a one-stop shop for local motorists. Their advertisement in the Summer Locater highlights a comprehensive list of essential services from the era: Fuel & Fluids: Gasoline, Motor Oils, and Lubricating Maintenance & Repair: Full Repairing, Tires, Tubes, and Batteries Emergency Support: Road Service In an era ...

Decades before "farm-to-table" became a trendy buzzword, it was just daily life in Little Compton! A quick peek into our town’s history reveals how much has changed—and how much has stayed delightfully the same. While flipping through a vintage copy of the 1934 Summer Locater , published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, a simple print ad caught my eye. It reads: A. E. WILBUR Fruit, Native Vegetables and Broilers Tel. 167-12 A Window into 1934 Little Compton The Wilbur Legacy: The Wilbur name is woven deeply into the fabric of Little Compton’s agricultural heritage. Seeing "A. E. Wilbur" front and center reminds us that local farming wasn't just a business back then—it was the heart of our community's daily life. "Native" Produce & Broilers: Decades before the "farm-to-table" movement became a modern trend, eating locally was simply a way of life in town. From fresh orchard fruits and local ("native") summ...

A "Painter and Decorator" didn't just paint walls—they were the original interior design specialists, handling fine finishes, wallpapering, and color styling for historic homes. There’s something endlessly fascinating about flipping through old local publications. While browsing through the 1934 edition of the Summer Locater —originally published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society—I stumbled upon this delightful, understated advertisement for a local tradesman: ABEL W. JENNINGS Painter and Decorator Tel. 184-3 A Look Back at Local Life It’s amazing how much history can be packed into just a few lines of plain text: Simplicity at Its Best: Long before website URLs, QR codes, or 10-digit phone numbers, all Abel Jennings needed to advertise his services was his name, his trade, and a short 3-digit phone extension ( 184-3 ). Craftsmanship and Pride: Calling himself a "Painter and Decorator" reflects the classic pride of mid-20th-century local artis...

Back when phone numbers were two digits long. 📞 Stephen B. Wilber & Sons advertising their services in the 1934 Summer Locater . Flipping through the pages of the 1934 Summer Locater —published by The Little Compton Village Improvement Society—offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in town nearly a century ago. Among the vintage advertisements for local small business owners is this straightforward, understated ad for Stephen B. Wilber & Sons . Essential Local Services While today we rely on multi-digit direct dialing, websites, and email, life in 1934 Little Compton was a bit different. If you needed essential stonework, drainage, or modern plumbing infrastructure, you'd pick up the phone, reach the local operator, and ask for Tel. 81 . The ad highlights core services essential for building and maintaining homes in coastal Rhode Island: Wells: Crucial infrastructure for 1930s homeowners, providing a service that remains just as essential in Little Compton today....

Back in 1934, you didn’t need an app for grocery delivery—just a three-digit phone number. Taking a look back at the historic Bluff Head Market. If you’re anything like me, flipping through old local records and ephemera is one of the quickest ways to lose an afternoon. Recently, I stumbled across a gem from the 1934 Summer Locater —a vintage advertisement for the Bluff Head Market right here in Little Compton. Take a look at this beautiful snapshot of our town's coastal history: Fresh Off the Boat (Literally) The ad proudly offers the public a classic New England trio: Fresh Fish, Lobsters, and Clams, emphasizing that they are “Right from the water.” While we are used to modern logistics and supermarket seafood counters today, back in 1934, things were wonderfully straightforward. Check out that note at the bottom: (Boats unload every week day at 9 o'clock very interesting to watch) Can you imagine? A morning stroll down to Sakonnet Point to watch the fishing boats haul in the...