As we get lost in the hustle and bustle of every day life, it's easy to take for granted the historic significance of buildings that surround us. Benefit Street, located on Providence's East Side, contains some of the oldest preserved structures in the country and serves as a reminder of our little state's rich history. 
After Roger Williams and his followers settled in Providence in 1636, the city began to expand and the hilly area above the Providence River, now known as College Hill, became one of the most fashionable places to live in the city. Benefit is at the heart of this area. Walking from one end to the other, you really get the sense that you are experiencing a mile of history. From the Providence Athenaeum, the fourth oldest library in America, to the First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist institution in the New World, this street is full of landmarks that evoke images of our state's humble beginnings. The Old State House is located here, as well as the John Brown House which was the first mansion built in Providence. One of the great things about Benefit Street is that it contains a variety of housing options β single family, townhouses, condominiums and multi-family. Though most of the properties are for sale, it is always a special treat when one becomes available for rent such as the 1843 George Owen House and the 1849 Isaac Brooks House. Easily this is one of the most desirable streets to live on in all of Providence.
After Roger Williams and his followers settled in Providence in 1636, the city began to expand and the hilly area above the Providence River, now known as College Hill, became one of the most fashionable places to live in the city. Benefit is at the heart of this area. Walking from one end to the other, you really get the sense that you are experiencing a mile of history. From the Providence Athenaeum, the fourth oldest library in America, to the First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist institution in the New World, this street is full of landmarks that evoke images of our state's humble beginnings. The Old State House is located here, as well as the John Brown House which was the first mansion built in Providence. One of the great things about Benefit Street is that it contains a variety of housing options β single family, townhouses, condominiums and multi-family. Though most of the properties are for sale, it is always a special treat when one becomes available for rent such as the 1843 George Owen House and the 1849 Isaac Brooks House. Easily this is one of the most desirable streets to live on in all of Providence.
