Easter Eggs & Secrets
The town of West Warwick itself holds a fascinating secret, born from political maneuvering and economic ambition. Its very existence is an "ironic testament to greedy calculation," forcibly separated from Warwick in 1913 by Patrick Quinn. This historical detail reveals a hidden layer of political intrigue behind the club's location.
- The Pawtuxet River Valley Split: Patrick Quinn's 1913 plan to split West Warwick from Warwick was designed to seize control of the Pawtuxet River's banks and its valuable textile mills from the largely Republican eastern area of Warwick. This historical event is a foundational "easter egg" explaining the town's unique borders.
- Political Dominance: As West Warwick's first town council president, Quinn appointed his nephew and law partner as city solicitor, establishing a long-standing political dynasty within the newly incorporated municipality.
- Economic Shifts: West Warwick prospered through the 1940s and '50s with textile mills like Fruit of the Loom. However, the late '50s and '60s saw mills shut down and new shopping centers emerge in neighboring Warwick, marking a significant economic shift for the town.
- Dan Gauvin's Note: A caustic note from Dan Gauvin to the Derderian brothers, framed and displayed in their office, survived the fire unscathed. This note, reading, "Dear Mike, I wish you all the luck with the club. When we had our meeting you said to me, ‘We want the same deal as Howard.[’] I said I couldn’t do that and you said, ‘When can you have the system out?[’] That’s when you pissed me off. Then you shorted me $$ 55$ . . . . As you said, you know very little about this biz — I agree. It shows. Good luck. As you said, you know very little about this biz . . . Dan," serves as a hidden piece of club history, revealing past conflicts and the Derderians' hubris.