From Narragansett Bay, to the south, salt water flows into Narragansett Bay toward the city, where it mingles with the fresh water of two rivers. Here the Moshassuck and the Woonasquatucket, two ancient streams, join to become the Providence River.

On this propitious spot, Roger Williams, a Massachusetts outcast, settled in 1636, and eventually a port town became a world-class city. Houses and wharves and mills and banks were built and drew wealth. The rivers were used and abused. Then, in this century, the frenzy died. The commerce departed, and the rivers were forgotten. But now the rivers are again celebrated, and along their newly uncovered banks stands a Providence more changed in the last decade than in the previous several.

Join us on a photographic tour of the newly renovated Providence, originally created by Providence Journal-Bulletin staff for The Sunday Journal and produced online by projo.com. Care to enhance the view? Then read an essay on the way Providence was, browse Web sites featuring Providence or order reprints of photos from this collection.