Rhode Island Route 138 is the only state highway in Jamestown, connecting the town and island to North Kingstown to the west (over the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge) and Newport to the east (over the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge).

In 1524, Italian navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano and his crew visited Narragansett Bay.

In 1728, the town of Jamestown built a windmill for grinding corn,[8] which used the sea breeze for power since there was no source of running water to turn a waterwheel.

Two hundred British and Hessian troops, commanded by James Wallace, landed at East Ferry on Conanicut Island on December 10, 1775.

[10] As they returned to East Ferry, they destroyed many buildings, including 14 homes, which caused more than 200 of Conanicut Island's 556 residents to flee to the mainland.

They left Narragansett Bay in October 1779; as they departed, they destroyed the fortifications which they had occupied and burned down the Beavertail Lighthouse.

In 1800, Fort Dumpling was established on the site of previous fortifications overlooking East Passage.

The availability of reliable and comfortable ferry service to and from Newport had a significant impact on agricultural Conanicut Island, and Jamestown became a destination for both day trips and summer vacations.

The Spanish–American War was a catalyst, beginning in 1898, and work began on Dutch Island's Fort Greble.

The War Department bought 31 acres (130,000 m2) for Fort Getty, and fortifications were quickly erected.

The golden age of large resort hotels was brief, however, in Jamestown and elsewhere, and patronage rapidly declined in the 1920s.

The Gardner House was one of the larger hotels, but it was taken down in 1941 after being idle for several years, and a USO building was built on its site.

[5] In 1938, a major hurricane caused much property damage and the loss of more than 300 lives in the Narragansett Bay region.

[16] Portions of several movies have been filmed in and around Jamestown, including Wind; Me, Myself & Irene; American General (PBS); Evening; Dan in Real Life; Moonrise Kingdom; and Irrational Man.