Cranston, Rhode Island


Cranston is located in the eastern part and is the third largest city in the U.S. State of Rhode Island. Cranston is part of the large metropolitan area of Providence. The city has been named as one of the 100 Best Places to Live in by Money magazine. In the 19th century, Cranston was an important textile center. Today many people are working with service, sale, in offices, and with transportation. Compared to the rest of the USA, the cost of living is 25.50% higher in the city than the U.S. average. It is among the top 25 safest cities in the country. The Budlong Pool is one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the USA.



To See And To Do In Cranston


  • Port Edgewood Marina
  • Sprague Mansion
  • Oaklawn Grange
  • Playing Golf
  • Pawtuxet Village
  • The Budlong Pool
  • Garden City Center
  • Thomas Fenner House
  • Meshanticut Park and Pond
  • Narragansett Bay


History Of Cranston - Timeline


In 1638, the Englishman William Arnold settled in what is now Cranston. Mr Arnold purchased the land from the Narragansett Indians. The original name of the village was Pawtuxet which means Little Falls and it was originally a part of Providence. In 1676, the village was completely destroyed by fire in an Indian attack. In 1677, the Thomas Fenner House was built. The house was built as a farmhouse and is one of the oldest houses in Rhode Island. It was built by Captain Arthur Fenner for his son Major Thomas Fenner.

In 1754, Cranston separated from Providence and was incorporated as a town. In 1790, the original Sprague family's mansion was built. In 1800, there were more than 1,600 people living in the town. In 1807, The Cranston Print Works Company was founded. William Sprague decided to convert his gristmill into a small cotton mill for carding and spinning yarn. It is probably the most famous and the most important company of Cranston's industries.

In the 1860's, immigrants from Germany, Sweden, Ireland, England, Italy, and Portugal came to work in the Cranston's industries. In 1886, the first auto race track in the country, Narragansett Park, opened. In 1890, the Narragansett Brewing Company produced their first beer. In 1900, there were more than 13,300 people living in the town. In 1910, Cranston was incorporated as a city.