Revisiting The Amazing Story Behind The Ruins At Scarborough State Beach

We’re in Narragansett this morning on another outdoor dining adventure that I am excited to be able to share with all of you tomorrow. In the meantime, thought we could revisit this look at one of the most curious spots in that part of the Ocean State, which by the by, was one of our most popular posts from last year, garnering thousands of views — and it may have even inspired a few photoshoots for the Gram.

Last night I was muted on a Zoom Happy Hour, which frankly is the 2020 equivalent of being picked last for kickball teams in junior high gym class. (Long story and quite honestly, it wasn’t even my fault, not entirely anyway.) I’m moving on, though, because today the sun is shining brightly, temps are supposed to reach the mid 70’s, and this weekend Scarborough Beach is (applause, applause) reopening.

You see, I’ve been wanting to talk about the Black Point Ruins situated at the far end of that beach, the one that borders Black Point, an area that in the time before (😉) was pretty popular with hikers as well as people looking to do a little fishing. The stone facade we’ve all probably walked or driven past countless times used to be a carriage house, part of an estate dating back to 1895 and built by the Davis family of Providence, that also included a magnificent 21 room mansion.

Photo Courtesy Of Me

The Davises made a fortune in the late 1890’s by creating and marketing a groundbreaking-for-its-day elixir called “Perry Davis Vegetable Painkiller,” made with myrrh, camphor, alcohol, and — shocking now but considered okay then — opium. (For the record, you could fall down an online rabbit hole for hours, reading all about the history and appeal of their concoction. I know I did back in January.)

This was how grandson Edmund came to build the swoon worthy summer estate, overlooking what is now Scarborough. According to The Independent, by the 1950’s and 60’s, the property had been sold off and turned into a restaurant which sadly was destroyed later by a fire. Ultimately, the DEM swooped in and saved the day by taking over the lands and preserving what was left of the structure.

It’s a fascinating story. Equally as incredible, however, are the people online circa NOW who are buying and selling original bottles and packaging from “Perry Davis Vegetable Painkiller,” not to mention the makers on Etsy and other sites offering things like (I kid you not) “Perry Davis Pain Killer” wall art, stationery and beach towels. I mean, the towels would make a neat hostess gift for any of your friends who rent or own places in Gansett, but beyond that…although I guess you could always use the anecdote as an ice breaker at your next Zoom Cocktail Hour?