History
Until 1928, this land held two buildings erected in 1879: C. C. Ball's General Store and, behind it, the Bowling Alley. After C. C. Ball's death, family issues over ownership of the land and buildings led to their relocation in 1928. The General Store was moved across the street to the building now occupied by Ernie's Restaurant, and the Bowling Alley was moved a block away to High Street, where it is now the Seacrest Inn. Only the granite steps at the corner of Spring Street and Water Street remain from the original buildings. Block Island's oldest downtown park is named for Nicholas Ball II, son of C. C. Ball and grandson of the first Nicholas Ball, who made his fortune in the 1840's California Gold Rush and, after returning home, drove the development of much of the island's infrastructure and major landmarks. Nicholas Ball II worked in his father's general store and later served as Postmaster in the same building after its move. In 1965, his family donated this land to the Town of New Shoreham in his memory.
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New Shoreham, Rhode Island · United States
