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Launderers, Cleansers, and Warren O'Dell: Little Compton’s 1934 Laundry Route

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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...
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Still Serving Little Compton: Frederick M. Bodington Plumbing in 1934

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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...
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Location: 49 Meetinghouse Ln, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA
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Little Compton Memories: Hood’s Ice Cream, Candy, and the Mystery of Polly’s Pantry

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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 ...
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Local Provisions & Old Traditions: A Look Back at E. C. Palmer’s Sakonnet Market

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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...
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A Taste of 1934: Georgina Souza's Home Cooking in Little Compton

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Take a step back to 1934 with this Summer Locater ad for Georgina Souza’s home cooking in Little Compton. Flipping through the pages of the 1934 edition of the Summer Locater —published nearly a century ago by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society—is like stepping straight into a time capsule. Amidst advertisements for local garages, markets, and summer beauty parlors, one simple, crisp ad immediately catches the eye: an offering of hearty, homemade food by Georgina Souza . The advertisement highlights classic New England comfort foods and everyday kitchen staples: Baked Goods: Rolls, Sandwiches, Cakes, and Pies New England Classics: Beans and Brown Bread The Summer Locater and 1930s Little Compton Life In the 1930s, Little Compton was a quiet agricultural and coastal community navigating the lean years of the Great Depression. During the summer months, the town welcomed seasonal visitors arriving to enjoy Sakonnet Point and the countryside. To help summer residents and lo...
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From the Archives: Mae Wilbour’s 1934 Beauty Business in Little Compton, RI

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Mae Wilbour taking appointments for hair dressing and cosmetic therapy in the pages of the Summer Locater . Flipping through the historical pages of local publications offers a fascinating window into the daily lives, businesses, and style of Little Compton’s past residents. One charming snippet comes from a vintage advertisement featured in the 1934 edition of the Summer Locater , published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society. The advertisement highlights the services of Mae Wilbour , a local practitioner offering modern beauty and personal care treatments during the height of the 1930s summer season. What the Advertisement Featured: Mae Wilbour Hair Dressing Cosmetic Therapy (spelled Cosmetic Therepy in the original printing) Multiple Electrolysis Appointments: Phone 17-12 A Glimpse into 1930s Personal Care & Local Life Local Roots: The surname Wilbour is deeply tied to the history of Little Compton, Rhode Island, so seeing Mae Wilbour offering services in town ...
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Location: Little Compton, RI, USA
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Vintage Little Compton Ads: Adamsville Garage & Service Station (1934)

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Print advertisement for Adamsville Garage & Service Station from the 1934 Summer Locater. Flipping through the pages of the 1934 Little Compton Summer Locater offers a fascinating window into the local businesses that kept our town moving nearly a century ago. Among the vintage advertisements featured in the directory is a classic piece of local commercial history: Adamsville Garage & Service Station . Back in the 1930s, as automobiles became indispensable for both summer residents and year-round locals, neighborhood garages served as vital hubs for the community. This particular ad highlights Adamsville Garage as an official destination for Ford Sales and Service . Beyond selling and maintaining Fords, the station offered a comprehensive range of auto care essential for the era: Repairing & Battery Service to keep routine traffic running smoothly. Wrecker Service for those inevitable roadside mishaps along rural coastal roads. Official Brake and Light Station , ensurin...
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Location: Adamsville, Little Compton, RI 02837, USA
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