The South Elmwood neighborhood was originally part of the land that Roger Williams had purchased from the Narragansett Indians in 1636. Today it surrounds Roger Williams Park, which consists of 432 acres, including 140 acres of water, which was given to the city by Betsy Williams in 1871. In the following decades the areas around the park slowly developed into a residential neighborhood of mostly one and two family houses.

For further information on South Elmwood, consult the Providence Plan website.
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