Secret Rhode Island

Why is the most iconic building on the Providence skyline called the Superman Building? What's that giant termite hovering over I-95 in Providence? Why does Rhode Island have a monument to a chicken? Rhode Island packs a whole lot of weird, wonderful, and obscure into a little package, and you'll learn all about the smallest state's fascinating history and unique quirks in Secret Rhode Island. From Newport to Narragansett, Woonsocket to Westerly, comb through nearly 400 years of Rhode Island history and the state's diverse culture. Explore forgotten World War II prisoner-of-war camps, hidden beaches, "poison" tomatoes and Mr. Potato Head statues, Hobbit houses, and the final resting place of the man who gave us Thanksgiving. Did you hear the one about the tree that ate the priest? The tale of how Rhode Island founder Roger Williams wound up in a woody embrace is just one of the 90 unusual stories unveiled in this fun and fascinating book. You'll also learn about street battles over the price of pasta, the infamous murder of a beloved elephant, a collection of books bound in human skin, and how the most famous ship in Australian history came to an ignominious end at the bottom of Newport Harbor. Local author Bob Curley takes you through some of the biggest secrets in the smallest state. You'll find the answers to all your questions, new places to visit, and more in Secret Rhode Island: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.