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Just 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast, Block Island (officially New Shoreham) has been shaped by glaciers, sailors, and a bit of adventure. The Narragansett Indians first called it “Manisses” or “Island of the Little God.” In 1614, Dutch explorer Adrian Block put his name on it, and by 1661, settlers made it home. Over the years, the island has been a beacon—literally! Fires were lit on Beacon Hill during the Revolutionary War, and lighthouses soon followed. The North Light (1867) and Southeast Light (1873) still stand today, though Southeast Light had to be moved back 200 feet in 1993 to keep it from tumbling into the sea. Block Island quickly became a summer hotspot. The Spring House Hotel (1854) is still welcoming guests, while the grand Oceanview Hotel (once host to President Ulysses S. Grant) burned down in 1966. The island’s harbor got its breakwater in 1873, and by 1950, planes landed at Block Island State Airport instead of grassy fields. The island’s waters hold secrets, too—at least five major shipwrecks rest offshore, including the Palatine (1738), Larchmont (1907), and the Lightburne (1939), which was dynamited to clear the way but is now a diver’s paradise. Today, nearly 44% of Block Island is preserved, earning it a spot on The Nature Conservancy’s “Last Great Places” list. From windswept bluffs to sandy shores, it’s a place where history and natural beauty go hand in hand—perfect for making new memories!