On this day in Block Island history

Is there a doctor in the house?

? April 15, 1907?

By Robert M. Downie

On this day in Block Island?s history, April 15, 1907, Capt. Noah Dodge died at the age of 82. The captain was descended from Tristram Dodge, one of the early settlers of Block Island, and was related, of course, to all the great Dodges active in fishing, farming and the hotel business at the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s.

The captain left his own particular and lingering mark on Block Island. His house, built in 1876 ? and operated by his family as a summer boarding house ? has for half a century been the home of the island?s doctor. And before the medical facility was built next door in the mid-1980s, the building served as the doctor?s office as well.
Porch of Capt. Noah Dodge?s house

The house was unusual for Block Island because it was constructed in a formal and restrained, yet highly ornate, Victorian style. Tourism had overtaken the island in the early 1870s, injecting new money; and other prominent citizens had begun constructing stylish homes. The trend continued for 20 more years, as predicted by the Rev. Samuel Livermore in his book, "History of Block Island," written in the fall of 1876 and early part of 1877:

Page 183 ? "A few dwelling-houses of good taste have been erected during the past few years on the Island. Mr. Darius Dodge?s Gothic cottage near the Harbor, Mr. Aaron Mitchell?s, and others, and Mr. Noah Dodge?s soon to be completed, and the best, are an improvement on the older houses, and these will soon be excelled by others, probably."

Page 216 ? "Mr. Noah Dodge?s residence, just completed, so sightly, large, and convenient, will incite others to imitate his example."