The Little Compton Blog

The original advertisement for Prentice Shethar Real Estate from the 1934 Summer Locater , published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society. Taking a look back through Little Compton’s history, it’s remarkable to see how much things have changed—and how some traditions remain steadfast. A great example comes from the 1934 edition of the Summer Locater , published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society . Inside is an impressive, full-page advertisement for Prentice Shethar Real Estate . The ad is strikingly simple and direct, listing only the proprietor’s name, business, and a two-digit phone number: Telephone 30 . According to an essay by Keith Crudgington for the Little Compton Historical Society’s Women’s History Project , the agency was founded by Susan and Prentice Shethar . Recognized as the very first real estate business in town, Shethar Real Estate originally focused on seasonal summer house rentals . Following the passing of her husband, Prentice, S...

The 1934 Summer Locater advertisement for the Hannah Elizabeth Tea Room, offering everything from afternoon tea and ice cream to full breakfasts and picnic lunches in Little Compton . I was recently flipping through a copy of the 1934 Summer Locater when an advertisement for a local business stopped me in my tracks . It was an ad for the Hannah Elizabeth Tea Room, a small business right here in Little Compton . Now, when you hear "Tea Room," you might imagine a modest spot offering light sips and tiny sandwiches . But Hannah Elizabeth served so much more than tea . Her 1934 advertisement boasted an incredible array of offerings: Breakfast, Luncheon, Dinner, Afternoon Tea, Ice Cream, Catering, Home Cooked Food, and even featured "Picnic Lunches Put Up" ! I was in absolute shock reading this . Breakfast, lunch, AND dinner—all under one roof, right here in town, in 1934 ! Contemporary townspeople will know that finding dinner in Little Compton can be quit...

Serving Little Compton and Sakonnet every Wednesday and Saturday: a 1934 advertisement for Providence-based Colonial Laundries from the Summer Locater . A fascinating piece of local history caught my eye recently in an ad from the 1934 Summer Locater . The advertisement features Colonial Laundries, a business based in the Providence–Pawtucket area. Despite the distance, they made regular service calls to Little Compton and Sakonnet every Wednesday and Saturday. At first glance, this route seems surprising. Why drive all that way when a closer competitor from Fall River could have easily captured the market? A few likely factors explain this long-distance route: Winter Continuity: Many seasonal cottage owners spent their winters in Providence. They likely preferred sticking with a trusted provider year-round, even if it meant waiting for twice-a-week deliveries during the summer. Commercial Accounts: Colonial Laundries may have serviced larger venues, such as the Sakonnet Golf Club or...

Frederick M. Bodington Plumbing ad from the 1934 Summer Locater , highlighting Pyrofax Gas, Lynn Oil Burners, and Telephone 122 . It was great to see a familiar name advertising in the 1934 Summer Locater ! The guidebook features a half-page ad for Frederick M. Bodington PLUMBING , listing the business as an agent for Pyrofax Gas and Lynn Oil Burners, back when you could reach them at Telephone 122 . Now known as FM Bodington Plumbing & Heating and located at 49 Meetinghouse Lane, the business has since incorporated heating services right into its name. According to their Yelp page, they handle everything from routine fixes to advanced jobs like boiler swaps and water conditioning. Although presumably under different ownership than it was in 1934, FM Bodington remains known for its deep local roots. Providing quality work and supporting local charitable organizations in Little Compton have been trademarks of the business for decades. Little Compton residents must have rested ea...

Polly’s Pantry ad featured in the 1934 Summer Locater , offering a nostalgic look back at Little Compton's summer commerce . When flipping through the pages of the 1934 Summer Locater published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, you quickly realize how bustling our corner of Rhode Island was nearly a century ago. Among the established local storefronts sits a charming advertisement for a long-lost small business: Polly’s Pantry . While the business is no longer around, and precise records of its exact physical location in town have faded with time, the ad paints a clear picture of a cozy neighborhood general store. It operated in the same spirit as town staples like Simmons Store, Wilbur's General Store, or even East Lake Variety just across the border—a quick one-stop shop for everyday essentials and summer treats. Presumably run by a local proprietor named Polly, the store offered simple everyday treats and conveniences: Magazines & Reading Material Cold ...

E. C. Palmer — Sakonnet Market (Meat and Fish) as advertised in 1934 . Flipping through the pages of local history offers a fascinating glimpse into how our coastal community used to operate . Take a look at this advertisement from the 1934 Little Compton Village Improvement Society Summer Locater : E. C. PALMER Sakonnet Market—Meat and Fish TEL. 150 While simple and direct by today's standards, this small ad tells a big story about life in town during the 1930s . The Local Merchant: E. C. Palmer ran Sakonnet Market, serving as a key source for fresh meats and fish for both year-round residents and seasonal visitors in Little Compton . A Three-Digit Phone Number: Long before modern ten-digit dialing or cell phones, reaching your local butcher was as simple as asking the operator for "150" . The Summer Locater : Published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, the directory was an essential guide for navigating local commerce and connect...