The Bells Stables & Carriage House (Newport, RI)

Nestled within Brenton Point State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, the Bells Mansion Stables and Carriage House are haunting relics of Newport’s Gilded Age — remnants of an opulent estate that once stood proudly along Ocean Drive. Originally part of the Reef Estate, these abandoned structures have weathered more than a century of change, fire, and decay, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the grandeur and mystery of Newport’s past.

The Creation of the Reef Estate

The Reef Estate was built in the late 1800s by Theodore M. Davis, a wealthy lawyer, businessman, and noted Egyptologist. After retiring from business, Davis acquired 18 acres along Newport’s rugged southern coast — a location chosen for its dramatic ocean views and natural beauty.

The mansion, designed in the Queen Anne style, was constructed in 1876 as Davis’s summer residence. Known as The Reef, the estate was lavishly appointed and included stables, a carriage house, servants’ quarters, and formal gardens.

Davis used the home not only as a seaside retreat but also as a display space for his collection of Egyptian artifacts unearthed during his excavations in the Valley of the Kings between 1902 and 1913.

A New Name and Changing Owners

After Davis’s death in 1915, the estate was purchased by Milton J. Budlong and his wife, who renamed it The Bells. For several years, it served as their grand summer home until a bitter divorce in 1928 left the property abandoned and largely neglected.

In the decades that followed, the mansion and its outbuildings began to deteriorate — yet their stately architecture and sweeping views of the Atlantic continued to draw curiosity and admiration from passersby.

The War Years and Decline

During World War II, The Bells estate was repurposed for military use. The U.S. Army installed anti-aircraft gun emplacements on the property to help defend the coast and Narragansett Bay. Soldiers were quartered within the mansion, transforming its once-luxurious rooms into makeshift barracks.

After the war ended, the property was vacated once again. Vandals soon began to strip the mansion of its fixtures, and in 1961, a devastating fire ravaged much of the structure. The remaining shell was demolished in 1963, leaving only the stables, carriage house, and stone water tower standing.

Preservation and Public Access

The State of Rhode Island acquired the land in 1969, and by 1976, the area was opened to the public as Brenton Point State Park. The stables and carriage house — weathered but still standing — became a favorite landmark for photographers, history enthusiasts, and urban explorers.

Inside, remnants of the building’s past could still be seen: horse stalls, carved woodwork, and an old staircase leading to a partially collapsed upper floor. Over the years, graffiti has covered much of the interior, but the atmosphere remains undeniably evocative — a mix of decay, history, and coastal solitude.

The 2023 Collapse and Demolition

In August 2023, tragedy struck when part of the carriage house’s roof collapsed under the weight of several teenage explorers. The incident resulted in multiple injuries and prompted the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to close off the area immediately.

Following safety inspections, the DEM determined the remaining structure to be unstable and ordered its demolition. In February 2024, the stables and carriage house were dismantled for public safety. Today, only their foundations and scattered remnants remain, surrounded by the windswept fields of Brenton Point.

Visiting the Site Today

While the stables and carriage house are no longer standing, visitors can still explore the grounds where they once stood within Brenton Point State Park. The nearby Bells Tower — the estate’s original water tower — remains accessible and offers panoramic views of the coastline.

• 📍 Address: Ocean Drive, Newport, Rhode Island
• 🌐 GPS Coordinates: 41.453361, -71.354250
• 🅿️ Parking: Ample free parking is available throughout Brenton Point State Park
• 🚶‍♂️ Trail Access: A short path begins near the park ranger station and leads toward the site of the former stables
• 🕰 Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
• ⚠️ Note: The former structure has been demolished; visitors should stay on designated trails

Quick Facts

• 🏛 Built: Late 1800s as part of The Reef Estate
• 🧱 Original Owner: Theodore M. Davis, lawyer and Egyptologist
• 🏠 Renamed: The Bells by Milton J. Budlong in the 1920s
• 💣 World War II Use: Coastal defense site with anti-aircraft guns
• 🔥 Damaged By Fire: 1961
• 🏚 Demolished: 1963 (mansion) / 2024 (stables & carriage house)
• 🌳 Now Part Of: Brenton Point State Park
• 🌊 Views: Overlooking Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

Final Thoughts

The Bells Stables and Carriage House once stood as elegant symbols of Newport’s gilded seaside heritage. Though they have now been lost to time, their memory endures in the windswept landscape of Brenton Point State Park — where stone foundations, rusting hinges, and sea breezes still whisper the story of a vanished mansion and the opulent era it represented.