Rhode Island Tool Company building

The Rhode Island Tool Company, located at 146-148 West River Street in Providence, is a significant historic industrial site spanning 5 acres. Established in 1853, it features a complex of buildings, with parts dating back to before the Civil War. Originally the largest employer in Providence during the 1870s, it was the only drop-forging operation in the state until its closure in 2003. Now known as the West River Center, the site has been repurposed for office and technical use and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, making it a noteworthy destination for tourists and researchers interested in industrial history.