The area where Narragansett now calls home, has been the home of Native American tribes for thousands of years; particularly the Narragansett Tribe themselves. But with the arrival of the Europeans to the land of Rhode Island and environs, trouble stirred.  As the Europeans claimed more and more land, the Narragansett was one of their biggest challenges and the land they occupied of great value to the newcomers. Eventually, the Narragansett tribe was forced to sell land and move on despite their power in numbers and strength.

It wasn't until King Philip's War however, that the power of the tribe really began to defuse. Their forts were attacked and many of their men killed. Some tribe members fled for safety, joining other tribes from different areas. The killing and fleeing continued until ultimately, what was once a long-lived large and prosperous tribe had now dwindled down to less than 100 living members.

The land of Narragansett  was rich and valuable; great for agriculture and the location near the ocean made it ideal for trade. Soon, with these businesses booming, the city was developing well. But the area was more than just a hotspot for business, the beauty also made it valuable to tourism. By the mid 1800s, hotels were going up and the town was building up its role as a seaside resort. The tourism trade has continued on ever since.