Category Archives: Chepachet

The Purple Cat

Chepachet, Glocester, Historic, Rhode Island

by Ron Ash

Some say we are all interconnected and what happens to one can touch everyone. I learned early on that this happens in our local business environment as well. The Rhode Island racetrack first opened in 1941 as a result of a Buick salesman known as Lucky. B A Dario had a passion for breeding thoroughbred horses so he decided to buy a small racetrack in town. This would eventually give birth to what is now Twin River Casino which was formerly “Lucky’s” Lincoln Downs.

Just over a decade earlier the Lavoie family of Glocester began making plans for a restaurant in Chepachet. They would use retired trolley cars from what was the Woonsocket Fairmont Line to create the diner. When the Pascoag Race Track officially opened The Purple Cat Diner expanded and flourished serving horse owners, jockeys and trainers. Until recently the shabby remains of the restaurant’s former glory still stood over our beloved village. Today an old family friend (Al Constantino) and his partner are recreating the property from scratch. Another idea in its infancy which will maintain Chepachet’s unique flavor while building fantastic memories for all. Hopefully they will be able to reintroduce the trolley cars in some way.

Feel free to share your memories related to this story. I’d love to hear from you. (photos by Frank Foster)

Happy camping.

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

Historic Town Pound

Chepachet, Glocester, Historic, , , , , , ,

by Ron Ash

The historic Glocester Town Pound is a fairly well preserved colonial animal pound in northern Rhode Island. The stone pound was built by Andrew Brown (Chad Brown’s Great-Grandson) in 1748 to confine stray farm animals. It is said to be the oldest surviving pound in the U.S.A. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, this dry wall stone structure was an exploit of colonial engineering.

The Browns initiated a pound system which rescued stray animals, cared for them and charged the animal’s owners a pound keepers fee for holding them. Andrew Brown (1706 to 1783), moving to Glocester in 1730 took on the unofficial role of Glocester’s first Animal Control Officer. The historic town pound can still be seen at Pound Road and Chopmist Hill Road. Brown, his wife Mary and his six children lived about seven hundred yards from the site. Today their property is the home of Mulberry Vineyards.

If you decide to make the trip, you may as well make a day of it. “Wine & History” would make for the perfect day of exploring and enjoying history in the great outdoors.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy