College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island
College Hill is a historic neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, and one of six neighborhoods comprising the city's East Side. It is roughly bounded by South and North Main Street to the west, Power Street to the south, Governor Street and Arlington Avenue to the east and Olney Street to the north. The neighborhood's primary commercial area extends along Thayer Street, a strip frequented by students in the Providence area. College Hill is the most affluent neighborhood in Providence, with a median family income of nearly three times that of the whole city. Portions of College Hill are designated local and national historic districts for their historical residential architecture. In 2011, the American Planning Association designated the neighborhood one of the "Great Places in America". Name The toponym "College Hill" has been in use since at least 1788. The name refers to the neighborhood's topography and numerous higher educational institutions: Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Pembroke College, and the since–relocated Bryant University. Prior to Brown University's 1770 relocation to Providence, the area was known as Prospect Hill. History The indigenous Wampanoag and Narraganset people inhabited the region prior to the arrival of English settlers. Settlement In 1635, religious