Cowsill Sites Around Newport/Middletown

This is just a one lane wide street.

Cowsill Tree - 21 Harbor View Drive - Everyone remembers the Cowsill Tree. On the grounds of Halidon Hall, the tree was featured in many print photos, picturesleeves, concert books and also in the milk commercials. The tree has lost a number limbs over the years.

Then In the Halidon Hall Tree Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Then

Now (Photo by Nina H. S.)

Cushing House "The Ledges" - Cushing House is located off Ocean Avenue just west of Bailey's beach. It was featured in one of the milk commercials where the Cowsills pretended to be painting it.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Dorian's - Originally 285 Thames Street - Now on Bannister's Wharf - Dorian's was a wild and crazy bar in the 1960s. The Cowsills would play four hours of Beatles songs a night here. Originally the building was at 285 Thames Street. It was later physically moved to Bannister's Wharf and now you can see it as the Clarke Cooke House/The Candy Store. Bob will still play a shift here when he's in town.

Dorians In The 1960's (Photo by Donald W.)

1998

Flo's Clam Shack - 4 Wave Avenue - Flo's is one of the Cowsills favorite places to eat - both back in the old days and even to this day. Best Clam Cakes in the world they would say.

Just east of Easton Beach

Halidon Hall - 21 Harbor View Drive - Halidon Hall is the home we think of most when thinking of our Cowsills. Harbor View Drive was a gated street the last time I was in Newport. The house is NOT visible from Wellington Ave. Back in the day there were no other houses on the hill, but now a number of large houses line Harbor View Drive. Current internet sites list it as six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. The Cowsills paid $80,000 for Halidon Hall and it has estimated value in 2021 was $4,169,800 per realtor.com

1960's

1998 (Photo by Lisa C.)

Hussey's Harbor House - 119 Wellington Avenue - At the base of the Halidon Hall hill and across the street from King's Park, Bob said this was the place to go for beach food back in the day. Apparently this was a very small place as Susan wondered where there was room for an oven to bake the pizza. A search of the Newport newspapers only showed references in 1965 so apparently it wasn't a long lived business. The owner was Walter Hussey (who was also one of Bob's Little League coaches) and his nephew remembered how cool it was to visit, going downstairs and stuffing pockets full of candy. Walter's nephew posted the recipe for the Husseyburger.

Ad from Newport Daily News August 12, 1965

Wonder if the C's know who did this? Newport Daily News August 11, 1965

Now

King Park - 125 Wellington Ave - King Park has many moments in Cowsill history. King Park sits on Wellington Avenue at the base of the Halidon Hall hill. It was here, at a carnival, that The Cowsills (the four boys) played for the first time. One of the milk commercials was filmed here. Some of Barry's ashes were scattered here and memorial services for Barry and Richard were held here at the gazebo. Also, it is here you will find benches in honor of Billy, Richard and Barry.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now (Photo by Debbie H.)

Spreading Of Barry's Ashes

Bill and Barry's Bench (Photo by Tim B.)

Richard's Bench (Photo by Denise H.)

McGann's Resturant & Tavern - 102 Connell Highway - Barbara worked in several resturants and bars in the Newport area. This is one.

Then

Then McGann's Ad

Then McGann's Ad

Martha Codman House - 304 Bellevue Avenue - This was a venue for the milk commercial shoot. It has taken me a lot of researching, but I believe I have matched this one up.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now (Photo by NSGT)

Now (Photo by David B.)

Miramar - 646 Bellevue Avenue - Miramar was used in shooting a milk commercial.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Moss Music - 98 Broadway - Moss Music is where Bud bought a Kay bass (per John's On The Mic interview) which allowed the Cowsills go from a trio to a quartet. Now on to become the Beatles! Today the address (from newspaper articles of the 1960's) is a parking lot.

Ad Newport Daily News, November 19, 1962

98 Broadway Today

Muenchinger-King Hotel - 38 Bellevue Avenue - The "MK" was a hotel with a bar/discotheque where the Cowsills played. It was here that the "Today" show employee saw them and that lead to their being the first entertainers to perform on that show. It was also here that the story of John having to play in a room a floor above the others, due to his age, happen. The MK is at the corner of Catherine and Bellevue.

1960's

1998

Narragansett Cafe - Corner of Long Wharf and Washington Streets - Barry had booked a gig at the Narragansett Cafe for the night after the ToRI 2000 shows. So the party was moved there.

2000 The After-Show Party

Now This looks nothing like my memory of the place, so I will assume the building we went to has been replaced.

Naval Officers Club - 95 Perry Road - Of course with Bud being a Navy man, the young Cowsills played at the Naval Officers Club.

Now

Newport Creamery - Bellevue Shopping Center - Bellevue and William Street - I have heard all the living Cowsills rave about the Creamery. I'm sure many a milk shake was consumed there. What was their favorite? The Awful, Awful (Awful Big, Awful Good), which was made with ice cream and syrup. Click here for the recipe. I hear a close second is the Cabinet ("An east coast milkshake," per Paul), which was made with ice milk. Paul said in a 2021 interview that the Creamery has moved. The web shows the address now as 208 W Main Rd, Middletown, Rhode Island.

The Bellevue Center Creamery

Awful, Awful

Main Street Newport Creamery

Newport Harbor - The Newport Harbor is a view our Cowsills have seen a million times. Other Cowsill sites (like King Park and Bannister's Wharf) grace it's edges. The harbor itself is featured in a couple Cowsill videos. A milk commercial - where the Cowsills were upon the Black Pearl ship - was filmed here. Also you see the Cowsills on the ferry during the "We Can Fly" video.

Newport Harbor

Newport Harbor Ferry In The "We Can Fly" Video

Black Pearl Ship

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Newport Yachting Center - 20 Commercial Wharf - Newport Yachting Center was the host of the Meet and Greet for ToRI 2000, ToRI 2000, and ToRI 2003.

Newport Yachting Center

During Meet & Greet at Yachting Center 2000

Roger's High School - 15 Wickham Rd - This is a school the Cowsills played numerous shows at.

1966

Now

Sig's Grocery - 7 Carroll Avenue - Sig's was run by Sigmund Margolis and a place where Susan remembers getting Candy Dots (or Poxs) and Bazooka bubblegum.

Then

Now

St. Augustine's Catholic Church - 2 Eastnor Road - Close to Halidon Hall, this is where the C's attended church (and elementary school) once they moved up on the hill. It was also here that they held Bill's funeral services.

Then

Now

Inside St. Augustine's

Bill's Funeral Services St. Augustine's

St. Joseph's Church - 79-93 Broadway - The Cowsills did several benefits for the Youth Organization. The kids also went to the school associated with the church while they lived at the Anchorage.

Then

Now

Inside St. Joseph's

Tea House - 596 Bellevue Ave - The Tea House is very close on the Cliff Walk, although it's actually part of Marble House mansion. Upon my first visit and Cliff Walk, John commented that the Tea House is somewhere they would play and that it was very creepy back in the day because of its' disrepair. It's since been restored and beautiful.

Then Photo Taken In The 1970s

View Of The Tea House From The Cliff Walk

The Candy Store - 82 Williams Street - The Candy Store is part of the Clarke Cooke House and as stated above, this was the original Dorian's building. Bob Cowsill will often play a gig at The Candy Store when he's in town.

Now

Thompson Junior High School - 55 Broadway - Paul, in a podcast memory, talks of attending this school which is next to St. Joseph's Church.

Then

Now

Viking Hotel - 1 Bellevue Ave - The Viking was a place that the Cowsills often played back in the day. I think some of their final shows were performed there in the mid-1970s. The Viking was also the host of the party portion of Barry's Memorial.

Then

Now

Performance About 1972

Susan and Richard Barry's Memorial Party February 18, 2006

Yesterday's Restaurant - 28 Washington Square - Yesterday's was (it is now permantly closed) on the north side of Washington Park. It began in 1974 and closed in 2015. It was owned and operated by Richard "Biggie" Korn. Biggie was The Cowsills' road manager and legal guardian of the youngest siblings on the road during those peak years. Again a place The Cowsills always ate during visits to Newport. Post show dinners were held here - like around ToRI 2000 and even family celebrations - such as Will's 10th birthday party.

1999 - Some Of The Cowsill Marathon II Gang

Will's Birthday Celebration 2006

Next let's move to the Middletown area:

3rd Beach - Near where Hanging Rock Road and Indian Avenue intersect - Again another Cowsill hang out back in the day. I found it funny that the only pic from the old days I could find was a couple girls riding horses there. We know Susan talked Paul and Bob into riding with here there in June 2021.

Newport Daily News 15 July 1965

Today

Airport - 211 Airport Access Rd - The airport was featured in one of the milk commercials.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Alligator Rock - In the ocean off the end of Buena Vista Drive. It was here they swam and fished. Bob said they would catch clams and use them as bait to fish with. In Family Band: The Cowsills Story, Susan told a story of sleep walking one night, out of the house and clear down onto Alligator Rock. Army was another game they used to play out on these rocks. Ashes from Billy, Barry and Richard were spread here.

Then (Photo by Dan F.)

Early 2000's Paul And Bob Visit Alligator Rock

Anchorage - Coddington Highway and Main Street - The Anchorage was a naval housing area. It has all been remodeled now, but Paul says it's still easy to recognize to those who lived there. The Cowsills lived there before moving to the 3rd Street house. Bob remembered riding around the area on Johnny's candy truck (and didn't steal any candy - or so he says hee hee).

The News July 13, 1950

Newport Daily News January 17, 1970

The Anchorage Area Newport Daily News December 30, 1961

Now - Google street view

Bastille - Easton Beach - The Cowsills first played here September 5, 1966 and had many shows here.

Then	A More Current View

Flo's Clam Shack - 4 Wave Ave - Flo's is one of the Cowsills favorite places to eat - both back in the old days and even to this day. Best Clam Cakes in the world they would say.

Just East Of Easton Beach

Forest Avenue House - 150 Forest Avenue - Another Cowsill house that Richard took us to in 1998.

Then 1998

Now

Gate 17 - Gate 17 Access Road off Main Avenue - Bob and Paul remember walking from the Forest Avenue house down to Gate 17 where they would use their ID's to get basketballs and kick back and enjoy some recreation.

Hanging Rock - 583 3rd Beach Rd - Hanging Rock is part of the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Hanging rock was used in the milk commercials and also print ads.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Then Print Ad

Now

Howland School - Wrapping Road & 3rd Beach Rd - This was the school that the C's went to during the time the lived in the Indian Ave. house. Newspaper articles have Barry in a Christmas play in 1961, John in a Christmas play in 1962 and John also was in Peter Pan in 1963. The last reference in the Newport newspaper I find to Howland School says it closed after the 1973-1974 school year. The building was then used as "The New School" - a religious school starting in the fall of 1974 (last reference I see of this school is August 1977) and apparently later torn down. The area today is now Howland Park.

Then Showing where the school was

Then John during his Howland years.

Now - Howland Park

Indian Avenue House - 611 Buena Vista Ave - (611 is the address I had in the past. Looking on google maps it looks like 16) I believe Richard told me that Bud built this house. It's right on the ocean and back in the day had a huge yard facing the ocean. Many a football game was played there. Bob said they also used to dig holes and the putt (golf) into them. It's the home of Alligator Rock. Being surrounded by forest in the 1960s, some of Richard's famous forts were built here. You can get a feel for this time listening to Susan's song "Avenue Of The Indians" (lyrics here). In Family Band: The Cowsills Story, Bob talked of sledding and skateboarding down Buena Vista Avenue. He said rehearsal were upstairs on the left hand side of the house. According to Zillow.com in 2021 this property is worth $3,330,000.

Then - 1960's (Photo by Dan F.)

1998 Note: Photo Taken From Side Of House

Now

Luncheon Cave - Atlantic Beach Area - Barry told stories of taking his sandwich and going here to eat and think.

(Photo by Louise P.)

Middletown Boys Club - 1350 Green End Ave. - The Cowsill boys have often talked of spending time at the Middletown Boys Club. (Note: I was unable to find a then picture so I included an article from the newspaper.)

2024

Middletown High School - 130 Valley Road - Bill graduated from here in 1966 and Bob and Richard joined him in 1967. Cowsills played hootenanys and shows here also.

1964

2021

Normandie Mansion - 232 Ocean Avenue - Again a venue for the milk commercials.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Lastly the West End area:

Castle Hill Lighthouse - 800-870 Ocean Ave - The Castle Hill Lighthouse was one of the shoot locations for the milk commercials. It also is where the shot of Susan was taken that morphed into the cover of her Lighthouse CD.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Lighthouse CD Cover

Halidon Hall - 21 Harbor View Drive - Halidon Hall is the home we think of most when thinking of our Cowsills. Harbor View Drive was a gated street the last time I was in Newport. The house is NOT visible from Wellington Ave. Back in the day there were no other houses on the hill, but now a number of large houses line Harbor View Drive. Current internet sites list it as six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. The Cowsills paid $80,000 for Halidon Hall and it has estimated value in 2021 was $4,169,800 per realtor.com

1960's

1998 (Photo by Lisa C.)

King Park - 125 Wellington Ave - King Park has many moments in Cowsill history. King Park sits on Wellington Avenue at the base of the Halidon Hall hill. It was here, at a carnival, that The Cowsills (the four boys) played for the first time. One of the milk commercials was filmed here. Some of Barry's ashes were scattered here and memorial services for Barry and Richard were held here at the gazebo. Also, it is here you will find benches in honor of Billy, Richard and Barry.

Then Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now (Photo by Debbie H.)

Spreading Of Barry's Ashes

Bill and Barry's Bench (Photo by Tim B.)

Richard's Bench (Photo by Denise H.)

Newport Jazz Festival - 90 Fort Adams Drive - Fort Adams Park - Knowing how The Cowsills love music, it's not surprising that they would attend the Jazz Festival. But did you know Paul and Bob were there to see Bob Dylan go electric? True. Paul says they snuck in and couldn't understand why people were booing. After all, it was Bob Dylan!

Then 1965 With Bob Dylan

Now

Eleven Venues Used In Filming Of The Cowsills Milk Commercials

1. Intersection of Bellevue and Memorial Avenues
2. Halidon Hall (Tree)
3. Cushing House
4. King Park
5. Newport Harbor
6. Airport
7. Hanging Rock
8. Castle Hill Lighthouse
9. Normandie Mansion
10. Martha Codman House
11. Miramar