NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. — One of Rhode Island’s most recognizable roadside landmarks, the iconic Milk Can along Route 146 in North Smithfield, has officially been listed for sale for $7,499,900, bringing renewed attention to the long-vacant property.
Landmark with a long history
The towering 32-foot Milk Can was originally built in the late 1920s as a roadside ice cream stand and quickly became a well-known stop for travelers passing through the area.
The business eventually closed in the late 1960s, but the structure remained a recognizable piece of Rhode Island history.
Property includes more than the Milk Can
The listing includes more than five acres along Eddie Dowling Highway, as well as several buildings connected to the site.
The property’s location near Route 146 has long made it a high-profile piece of real estate in northern Rhode Island.
Decades of vacancy
The Milk Can was moved to North Smithfield in the late 1980s during highway improvement work in an effort to preserve the landmark.
There were plans at one point to redevelop and reopen the site, but those efforts stalled after groundwater contamination issues were discovered.
Since then, the property has remained abandoned for more than 30 years.
Questions about the future
Now that the site is officially on the market, attention is turning to what could happen next.
Some Rhode Islanders hope to see the landmark restored and reopened in a way that preserves its historic identity, while others believe the property could be transformed into an entirely new development.
For many longtime residents, the Milk Can remains one of the state’s most recognizable roadside icons.
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