The site of the Miantonomi Memorial park dates back to the time when the Narragansett Indians were free to inhabit Newport, Rhode Island, before it became a colony and put all Native Americans to reservations. The area was used by the local tribe for hundreds of years. It was named ?Miantonomi? for one of the tribe?s chiefs.

In 1667, the area, particularly the hill, was used by the settlers as a lookout. They built a beacon on top of the hill. Fortifications were added later on during the American Revolution. The property was then acquired by the Stokes family, locals of the Newport area. They then donated it to the City of Newport in 1921.

In 1929, the Miantonomi Memorial Park was added a stone tower that served as a World War I memorial.