SeeWesterly

Westerly is a town located on the southwestern shoreline of Washington County, Rhode Island, in the United States. It was founded in 1669 by John Babcock and is a beachfront community situated on the south shore of the state. The town's population was 22,787 according to the 2010 census. It is part of the Norwich–New London, Connecticut, New England city and town area.

The town of Westerly has the Pawcatuck River flowing along its western border, which was once famous for its unique species of Westerly salmon, with three of these species featured on the town's crest. The Pawcatuck River originates from approximately fifteen miles inland and empties into Little Narragansett Bay. It also serves as the boundary between Westerly and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. The coast of Westerly features salt ponds that form shallow, reef-like pools, with their outer walls creating the long, white beaches the town is known for. These ponds, listed from west to east, are Maschaug Pond, Winnapaug Pond, and Quonochontaug Pond. The town is also home to a freshwater lake called Chapman’s Pond, which is currently undergoing revitalization.

A specific type of granite, known as Westerly granite, has been quarried in the area for a long time. Westerly granite is well-suited for statuary and has been used in various government buildings across several states on the eastern seaboard. The Westerly area has a history of being known for its granite and stone-cutting industry.