In 1638, Roger Williams purchased land from the Narragansett Indians, marking the beginning of Cranston. The name, Town of Cranston, was decided by General Assembly in 1754. This name comes either from Governor Samuel Cranston, the longest-serving governor, or Thomas Cranston, the governor's grandson, a well-known speaker, and representative when the city first came into being. When the people held their town meetings in the early 1770s, one of them was to vote to oppose the British Parliament's Coercive Acts because it was heavily patriotic during the Revolutionary War. Even after losing much of its territory to neighboring towns over the later part of the previous century, Cranston became a city on March 10, 1910. This town has a sizeable Italian presence, as many people descend from the Italian settlers who settled there in the early 1900s. Cranston is specifically well known for its St. Mary's Feast, a week-long festival celebrated in July with vendors, a carnival, fireworks, and a religious procession from St. Mary's Church, all of which have taken place since its origins in 1905. In March 2010, Cranston experienced severe flooding of the nearby Pawtuxet River, causing significant sites such as the Warwick Mall, Contour Dental Laboratories, and the CLCF Building to close for repairs. Cranston city has seen much development and growth since its humble beginnings, from big jewelry producers to the first Del's Lemonade stand in 1948 and the largest swimming pool, Budlong Pool, in the country. The city still sees many opportunities and industries emerging, making it a sought-after place for many individuals to live.

With its exquisite natural surroundings, Cranston is a beautiful city to behold. Come and explore the past with riveting historical museums, be absorbed in the diversity of her artworks, or satisfy your cravings with the variety of delicious local foods.

Here are a few favorite things to do while in Cranston:

Sprague Mansion: In honor of two war heroes pivotal to Cranston's origins, Sprague Mansion is a museum with many fascinating exhibits, including two restored 1840s cannons used in the Civil War.

Marchetti's - Italian Fine Dining: Located in the heart of Knightsville, a suburb in Cranston with a strong Italian heritage, Marchetti's offers classic Italian dishes and some sublime chefs' specialties - creating an exquisite culinary experience that you should not risk missing!

Meshanticut Park: With its breath-taking beauty, Meshanticut Park is a lovely place to walk all year round, especially in the fall months when the leaves turn gold, amber, and red. Summertime is also wonderful, with many perfect fishing spots, and when the weather turns cold, bring those ice skates out and take advantage of this gorgeous winter wonderland.