The Little Compton Blog

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...

F.W.C. Almy’s business ad in the 1934 Summer Locater. If you flip through the pages of the 1934 Little Compton Summer Locater , you’ll catch a fascinating glimpse into the town's vibrant horticultural history. Among the local businesses vying for the attention of summer residents and locals alike was Almy’s Supreme Dahlias , a business run by F.W.C. Almy . Take a look at this incredible vintage advertisement that reminds us just how deeply rooted our coastal town is in agricultural excellence: The "Super-Dahlia" of 1934 Almy wasn't just selling regular garden-variety flowers; he was operating at the cutting edge of dahlia breeding. According to the ad, Almy’s Supreme Dahlias offered "New Introductions and Up-to-date Varieties in both Plants and Roots." Most notably, his nursery was the proud home of " Lord of Autumn " —a flower boldly described as " t he super-dahlia of the day. " Almy proudly notes that it was "considered by expert...

A glimpse into 1930s local commerce: John C. Burchard's electrical wiring advertisement from t he 1934 Summer Locater. Featured within t he 1934 Summer Locater of Little Compton, RI, an advertisement placed by businessman John C. Burchard promotes his electrical services. The ad boasts "Fuseless Installations" alongside both "Residential and Industrial Wiring," highlighting a modern approach to electrical work for the era.  To assure potential clients of his safety and quality standards, Burchard notes that he uses "Materials Approved by Underwriters’ Laboratories" and ensures that every "Installation [is] in Compliance with National Electric Code Standards." For those looking to secure his services in the 1930s, the ad concludes simply with the vintage contact info, "Telephone 18." Little Compton, RI LC (Sakonnet, Adamsville)

When a two-digit telephone number was all you needed—Dennis Arruda's 1934 advertisement reflects the simplicity of small-town life in Little Compton. The 1934 Summer Locater , published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, offers a fascinating glimpse into the local businesses that served both year-round residents and the growing summer community.  Among its advertisements is one for Dennis Arruda, who supplied fruits, vegetables, fireplace wood, and kindlings—everyday necessities for homes and summer cottages alike. The simple listing, complete with the memorable telephone number "5-4," reflects an era when Little Compton's telephone system was small enough that only a few digits were needed to reach a neighbor. Though modest in appearance, the advertisement captures the essential role that local merchants like Arruda played in supporting daily life in Little Compton during the 1930s. Little Compton, RI - Sakonnet Point, Fo'c'sle LC