FortySteps

Forty Steps

© Richard Konkolski

In the early colonial days majority of people did not have much time for fun. With all their hard work they hardly made a living. Only few could quietly enjoy the beauty of cliffs and ocean surf, like Bishop Berkeley. With his fixed yearly pay and plenty of free time he could easily come to Easton’s Beach for study and meditation.

© Richard Konkolski

In those days, if common Newporters came to the beach, they came to work. They set nets by boats and then they hauled them to the beach. They loaded the catch on carts and took it to the market. It was a time of plentiful fish in the local water. Even much later, in 1850, C. E. Hammett Jr. names in his handbook on Newport 112 species of fish available at the local fish market.

© Richard Konkolski

The net fishing was hard work and not possible to do every day. In winter, or when storm, or high surf came, this type of fishing was difficult to do. That was probably a time to test the surrounding cliffs and their rocks for dryer and more convenient fishing and switch from the net to a fishing rod.

© Richard Konkolski

The dead end of the east side of the Narragansett Avenue ends at cliffs. At the lower part of the cliffs there is the Ellison’s Rock. The Ellison’s Rock has been well known for a very long time as a great spot for road fishing, especially during high tide. This is supposedly a favorite resort of anglers for tantog, bass, and perch.

Map of Newport with Forty Steps published in 1891
© Richard Konkolski

Forty Steps today © Richard Konkolski

Long time ago somebody build wooden steps, forty of them, from the Ellison’s Rock up to the top level of the cliffs. Already in 1850, despite research, nobody could remember or find out the name of the wealthy donor. This fact would set the building of the first wooden steps somewhere between 1820-1830. The steps were repaired and rebuilt many times since. Till today, they are still well known as “The Forty Steps”.

© Richard Konkolski

In “Gilded Age” the place was fashionable spot for immigrant servants working at the Bellevue Avenue mansions. They would gather there together for night swims, fishing or to listen to music played by accordionist. Today, the Forty Steps continue to be a favorable tourist attraction with beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean, Easton’s Beach, Atlantic Beach and Easton Point.

© Richard Konkolski

In the early 1990’s the Forty Steps were completely restored and replaced by new ones made of granite. Robert T. Byron and Russell Johnson organized Forty Steps Restoration Fund. The new restoration cost over $100,000.00. Each of the new granite 5 by 1 foot steps was sold for $3,000.00 and is engraved by the name of a loved one or by the purchaser’s family name. Businesses and organizations that helped in the restoration are noted on a brass plaque at the entrance to the Forty Steps.

© Richard Konkolski

Walking down the steps, visitor can reach a little bay called Conrad’s Cave. The name recollects a magnificent Corsair and his wife Medora who supposedly kept stronghold beneath the cliff in a cave. Unfortunately, today’s visitor will fail to find any sign of a cave there. At one time there was a cavity there, but time and strong Atlantic waves have washed away all traces of it.

Fortunately, the disappointment of finding only small cave will be more than offset by the beautiful natural scenery enhanced by a rocky theatre, full of natural stony seats, on which we may sit, enjoy fresh ocean breeze and dream.

Forty Steps location: I - 4
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