The Last Resort - The Eagles - Providence, RI
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 41° 49.791 W 071° 24.445
19T E 300086 N 4633686
Though the song, The Last Resort, by the Eagles, is about California, the song starts with the words, "She came from Providence, the one in Rhode Island..."
Waymark Code: WMF91T
Location: Rhode Island, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2012
Views: 7
Providence, the one in Rhode Island, is a New England city that is in every way a modern American city, but also has buildings and monuments that are reminders of its more glorious past, and is a fitting reference in the song, "The Last Resort," by the Eagles.
The words of the song start with the following:
"She came from Providence,
the one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea"
Providence was founded by Rev. Roger Williams, a free spirit who came first to Massachusetts Bay Colony, then, when the colony could no longer tolerate his heretical thoughts and he eventually obtained a charter and with a band of people settled in an area that is now a National Park Monument in 1636. The National Park web site stated that "this colony served as a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated without interference from the state." Among the heretical thoughts was the concept of the separation of church and state. He also was a friend of the Native Americans, where there were few at that time who paid heed to them at all.
Industry developed around Providence over the years, especially along the Blackstone River. Samuel Slater developed the country's first threading mills. Other well known companies included Corliss steam engines and Brown and Sharpe machinery. From the profits from industry, great buildings were built, many of which are still standing. However, after the peak, the mills and factories waned, and Providence began to decline. Even today, the Providence area struggles with higher than average unemployment and searches for new ways to restore prosperity. So, it is not at all unusual for people to have left this city to find fortune in fabled green pastures such as California, just as their ancestors who might have arrived with Roger Williams might have done.
The location is within Prospect Park at an overlook that has a spectacular view of Providence. This location is between Congdon and Wheaton Streets. Originally, I had placed the location for this waymark in downtown Providence. However, I think this location is more appropriate. First, the statue at this park is of Reverend Roger Williams standing on a canoe, looking over the city that he helped to found in hopes of a better civilization where people of different faiths could live harmoniously. Second, you can look over the city and still see the older buildings such as city hall that were from the time when people struck west to find their fortunes rather than stay where their fathers lived.
The song, The Last Resort, was written by Don Henley and Glenn Fry of The Eagles, and it appears as the last song on their monumental album, Hotel California, in 1976, and appeared as a B-side to "Life in the Fast Lane" in 1977. It is my favorite song on the album as it is crafted with care and delivered with perfection.
So come to the place the song starts with!
Sources:
Wikipedia (The Last Resort (song)):
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visit link)
NPS.gov (ROWI):
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visit link)