[wzslider interval=”5000″ height=”800″ info=”true” lightbox=”true”]North Smithfield RI, located on the Branch River, pop. about 12,000 is home to the villages of Slatersville and Forestdale.  Best known as the location of the first planned industrial village in America. John and Samuel Slater purchased land, circa 1803, with the intent of building a self sustained community whose economy was driven chiefly by textile mills.  Most of the mills have been demolished but still standing is the Slatersville Cotton Mill, circa 1826.  Although falling into decline, in 2011 it was fully restored and, present day, serves as an apartment complex. Slatersville Mill utilized the Branch River for power and transportation but ultimately the…