In 1878 James Edward Rose, a direct descendant of the original settlers of Block Island, built the Norwich House which was later renamed the Atlantic Inn. James built his retirement home in 1897 further down the laneway on the Rose farmland bringing beach stones by ox cart to construct the beautiful front porch. His son, Captain Cornelius William Rose, sold the inn and turned to fishing and with his two masted schooner, the Aunt Edie, he carried the daily mail, freight and passengers between New London and Newport. Farming continued by the Rose family until 1980 when James’ great grandson, Robert Edward Rose, and his wife Judith reconstructed the old farmhouse preserving the beach stone porch and brought it up to todays standards as a country inn. As Block Island became a popular tourist destination more rooms were added by building The Captain Rose House across the laneway keeping the vistas of the open fields to be enjoyed by their family and guests.