Bailey’s Beach – Trail Marker #16

Bailey’s Beach

Bailey’s Beach is part of the private Spouting Rock Beach Association, Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in the 1890s after a new trolley service gave mill workers from Fall River ready access to Easton’s Beach (a wider expanse of beach closer to downtown Newport that the more affluent Newport residents had claimed as their own). Because of this influx of beach goers, the wealthier families relocated several miles southeast to Bailey’s Beach. Although much smaller than Easton’s Beach, the beach was safely beyond the reach of trolleys and therefore less crowded. Today, approximately 500 families belong to the Spouting Rock Beach Association, commonly known as Bailey’s Beach. The organization has attracted notable members of nearby families such as the Vanderbilts, Astors and Kennedys. Bailey’s Beach was one of the centers of Newport society life along with other institutions such as the Redwood Library, Newport Country Club, Trinity Church, the Clambake Club, Newport Reading Room, the New York Yacht Club summer clubhouse and the Newport Casino. Despite the exclusive status of the beach club and its membership today, the northeast end of the beach where the Cliff Walk ends, is open to the public. However, please note that Bailey’s Beach is private and NOT open to the public. To return to downtown Newport, turn right at the Walk’s exit and walk one and a half blocks (just past Ledge Rd.), where you’ll find a seasonal bus stop.
For more info use this link for the seasonal bus stop: https://www.ripta.com/67