Cranston, Rhode Island
Encyclopedia
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County
, Rhode Island
, United States
. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census
, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population
of Rhode Island is located in Cranston. Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area
.
Cranston was named one of the "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States by Money magazine in 2006. It is among the top 25 safest cities in the country, according to CQ Press
's research.
The Town of Cranston was created in 1754 from a portion of Providence north of the Pawtuxet River. After losing much of its territory to neighboring towns and the City of Providence, Cranston itself became a city on 10 March 1910.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 29.9 square miles (77.4 km²), of which, 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (4.54%) is water.
The following neighborhoods are located in Cranston:
of 2000, there were 79,269 people, 30,954 households, and 20,243 families residing in the city of Cranston. The population density
was 2,774.6 people per square mile (1,071.3/km²). There were 32,068 housing units at an average density of 1,122.5 per square mile (433.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.19% White, 6.79% African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.28% Asian, 3.10%, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races
, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.56% of the population.
Over 30% of Cranston's residents describe themselves as Italian American
, one of the highest percentages of this ethnic group in cities with over 50,000 residents in the United States.
Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area
, which has an estimated population of 1,622,520 which is located in the eastern part of the state.
There were 30,954 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females of age 18 or over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,108, and the median income for a family was $55,241 (these figures had risen to $54,879 and $70,658 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $40,031 versus $28,279 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,978. About 5.6% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), a juvenile correctional facility, in Cranston. The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
in headquartered in Cranston.
, I-295, RI 10 (the Huntington Expressway) and RI 37. Other state-numbered roads in Cranston are U.S. 1
, US 1A, RI 2, RI 5, RI 12, RI 33, RI 51, RI 115 and RI 117.
Cranston is served by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
(RIPTA) buses. Amtrak
's Northeast Corridor
passes through but has no station in the city. The MBTA's Providence/Stoughton Line
will also pass through upon the completion of the new train station at T.F. Green Airport, but will not include a station in Cranston.
The first auto race track in the country, Narragansett Park, located off Park Avenue, opened in present-day Stadium Ball Field in September 1886. Not to be confused with the present day Narragansett Race Track located in Pawtucket.
Cranston is home to the Budlong Pool, one of the largest outdoor swimming pool
s in the country. Built in the 1940s as a Works Progress Administration
project, it is a staple of the community. It is located at 198 Aqueduct Road, off Reservoir Avenue (part of RI 2).
Sprague Mansion, an 18th-century homestead, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The Thomas Fenner House
, built around 1677, is one of the oldest houses in Rhode Island. Edgewood Yacht Club
is a notable structure on the National Register of Historic Places located on the Providence River.
The Cranston Country Club is the only public golf course in Cranston.
Family Guy
creator Seth McFarlane has stated that the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island is modeled after Cranston.
Providence County, Rhode Island
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 621,602 people, 239,936 households, and 152,839 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,504 people per square mile . There were 253,214 housing units at an average density of 613 per square mile...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
of Rhode Island is located in Cranston. Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area
Providence metropolitan area
The Providence metropolitan area is a region covering six counties in two states, and is the 37th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Anchored by the city of Providence, Rhode Island, it has an estimated population of 1,622,520, exceeding that of Rhode Island by slightly over 60%. The...
.
Cranston was named one of the "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States by Money magazine in 2006. It is among the top 25 safest cities in the country, according to CQ Press
CQ Press
CQ Press, a division of SAGE Publications, publishes books, directories, periodicals, and electronic products on American government and politics, with an expanding list in international affairs and journalism and mass communication....
's research.
The Town of Cranston was created in 1754 from a portion of Providence north of the Pawtuxet River. After losing much of its territory to neighboring towns and the City of Providence, Cranston itself became a city on 10 March 1910.
Geography
Cranston is located at 41°46′N 71°27′W (41.7732, -71.4533).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 29.9 square miles (77.4 km²), of which, 28.6 square miles (74.1 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (4.54%) is water.
The following neighborhoods are located in Cranston:
- Alpine Estates
- Arlington
- Bellefonte
- Castleton Estates
- AuburnAuburn, Rhode IslandAuburn is an urban neighborhood in the east-central part of Cranston, Rhode Island....
- Dean Estates
- Eden Park
- EdgewoodEdgewood, Rhode IslandEdgewood is located in eastern Cranston, Rhode Island. It borders Warwick to the southwest, Providence to the north, and Narragansett Bay to the east. To the south it borders Pawtuxet Village....
- FiskevilleFiskeville, Rhode IslandFiskeville is a small village in the south west corner of Cranston, Rhode Island, United States, the south east corner of the Town of Scituate, Rhode Island and across the northern side of Coventry, Rhode Island. The village's Main Street forms the border between Cranston and Scituate....
(also in ScituateScituate, Rhode IslandScituate is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,329 at the 2010 census.-History:Scituate was first settled in 1710 by emigrants from Scituate, Massachusetts...
) - Forest Hills
- Friendly Community
- Garden City
- Garden Hills
- Glen Hills
- Hillside Farms
- Laurel Hill
- HowardHoward, Rhode IslandHoward was originally a farming hamlet in the southern part of Cranston, Rhode Island. In the mid-19th century, most of the land was acquired by the State of Rhode Island to construct a state prison, a poor house, and other state facilities...
- JacksonJackson, Rhode IslandJackson, Rhode Island is an unincorporated area outlying, to the northwest, West Warwick....
(also in Scituate, RIScituate, Rhode IslandScituate is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 10,329 at the 2010 census.-History:Scituate was first settled in 1710 by emigrants from Scituate, Massachusetts...
) - KnightsvilleKnightsville, Rhode Island-History:Knightsville is named after local inn keeper and U.S. Congressman Nehemiah Knight . The Knights were descendants of early English emigrants who were some of the earliest settlers in the area. According to at least one source:...
- MeshanticutMeshanticut, Rhode IslandMeshanticut is a neighborhood in Cranston, Rhode Island, United States.Meshanticut is a residential neighborhood on the western side of Cranston. Meshanticut, which is a Narragansett Indian word meaning "place of woods" features an eclectic array of housing styles including Victorian homes,...
- Oakhill Terrace
- OaklawnOaklawn, Rhode IslandOak Lawn is a historical village in south west Cranston, Rhode Island. Prior to being named "Oak Lawn" in 1872 the area was known as "Searle's Corner". The Edward Searle House, built in 1677, and one of the oldest standing structures in Rhode Island, is located in Oak Lawn. The village is also...
- PontiacPontiac, Rhode IslandPontiac is a historic village in Warwick, Rhode Island and Cranston, Rhode Island.-History:Native Americans referred to the area as "Papepieset" or "Toskiounke." After arriving in 1642, the early English settlers called the area "Great Weir" because fishing weirs were used to catch fish near the...
- Stadium
- ThorntonThornton, Rhode IslandThornton is a neighborhood located in the north-west part of Cranston, Rhode Island on the Johnston line and extends into the Johnston side.The residents of this neighborhood are predominantly Italian-American....
(this includes part of Johnston, RI) - Pawtuxet VillagePawtuxet VillagePawtuxet Village is a section of the towns of Warwick and Cranston, Rhode Island. It is located at the point where the Pawtuxet River flows into the Providence River and Narragansett Bay.- History :...
- Webster
- Westend
- Woodridge
- Western Hills Village
Public High/Middle Schools
- Cranston High School East
- Cranston High School West
- Western Hills Middle School
- Hugh B. Bain Middle School
- Park View Middle School
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 79,269 people, 30,954 households, and 20,243 families residing in the city of Cranston. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,774.6 people per square mile (1,071.3/km²). There were 32,068 housing units at an average density of 1,122.5 per square mile (433.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.19% White, 6.79% African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.28% Asian, 3.10%, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.93% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.56% of the population.
Over 30% of Cranston's residents describe themselves as Italian American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
, one of the highest percentages of this ethnic group in cities with over 50,000 residents in the United States.
Cranston is a part of the Providence metropolitan area
Providence metropolitan area
The Providence metropolitan area is a region covering six counties in two states, and is the 37th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Anchored by the city of Providence, Rhode Island, it has an estimated population of 1,622,520, exceeding that of Rhode Island by slightly over 60%. The...
, which has an estimated population of 1,622,520 which is located in the eastern part of the state.
There were 30,954 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females of age 18 or over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,108, and the median income for a family was $55,241 (these figures had risen to $54,879 and $70,658 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $40,031 versus $28,279 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $21,978. About 5.6% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections has its headquarters and its adult prison facilities in Cranston. The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & FamiliesRhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families is a state agency of Rhode Island, headquartered in Downtown Providence. The agency provides services for children and families...
operates the Rhode Island Training School (RITS), a juvenile correctional facility, in Cranston. The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
In the United States of America, a Department of Motor Vehicles is a state-level government agency that administers vehicle registration and driver licensing. Similar departments exist in Canada...
in headquartered in Cranston.
Transportation
Four freeways travel through Cranston: I-95Interstate 95 in Rhode Island
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States, runs generally southwest-northeast through the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It runs from the border with Connecticut near Westerly through Warwick and Providence and to the Massachusetts state line...
, I-295, RI 10 (the Huntington Expressway) and RI 37. Other state-numbered roads in Cranston are U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Rhode Island
In the U.S. state of Rhode Island, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway through Providence. Staying close to the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, it is a longer route than Interstate 95, and many portions are a four-lane divided highway....
, US 1A, RI 2, RI 5, RI 12, RI 33, RI 51, RI 115 and RI 117.
Cranston is served by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority provides public transportation, primarily buses, in the state of Rhode Island. The main hub of the RIPTA system is Kennedy Plaza, a large bus terminal in downtown Providence, Rhode Island...
(RIPTA) buses. Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
's Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
passes through but has no station in the city. The MBTA's Providence/Stoughton Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
The Providence/Stoughton Line is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island...
will also pass through upon the completion of the new train station at T.F. Green Airport, but will not include a station in Cranston.
Sites
Cranston is home to the Budlong Pool, one of the largest outdoor swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
s in the country. Built in the 1940s as a Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
project, it is a staple of the community. It is located at 198 Aqueduct Road, off Reservoir Avenue (part of RI 2).
Sprague Mansion, an 18th-century homestead, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Thomas Fenner House
Thomas Fenner House
The Thomas Fenner House or the "Sam Joy Place" is an historic stone-ender house on 43 Stony Acre Drive in Cranston, Rhode Island. It is one of the oldest surviving houses in Rhode Island....
, built around 1677, is one of the oldest houses in Rhode Island. Edgewood Yacht Club
Edgewood Yacht Club
Edgewood Yacht Club is an historic yacht club in Cranston, Rhode Island at 3 Shaw Avenue.The club was constructed by Murphy, Hindle & Wright in 1908 in a shingle style...
is a notable structure on the National Register of Historic Places located on the Providence River.
The Cranston Country Club is the only public golf course in Cranston.
Notable residents
- A.J. Smith - General Manager of the San Diego Chargers; spent several years as a coach at Cranston High School West
- Dennis WholeyDennis WholeyDennis Wholey is an American television host and producer, and the author of a number of self-help books, one of which was a New York Times bestseller. He currently hosts This is America with Dennis Wholey, an interview program shown throughout the U.S...
- Talk show host; was born in Cranston - Deon AndersonDeon AndersonDeon Terry Anderson is a Free Agent American football fullback who most recently played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He attended and played college football at the University of Connecticut after graduating from the Avon Old Farms School in 2002. He was drafted in the...
- played in the NFL for the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Elisabeth HasselbeckElisabeth HasselbeckElisabeth Hasselbeck is an American television talk show host and television personality. She was a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback and is a current co-host on the daytime talk show The View .-Early life:...
- of Survivor fame and co-host of The View - Elisha Hunt RhodesElisha Hunt RhodesElisha Hunt Rhodes served in the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Rhodes' illustrative diary of his war service was quoted prominently in Ken Burns' PBS documentary The Civil War....
, Noted GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
diarist. - George J. PetersGeorge J. PetersGeorge J. Peters was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II during Operation Varsity.-Biography:...
, United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier and Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient in World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... - Hugh DuffyHugh DuffyHugh Duffy was a 19th century Major League Baseball player. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.-Career:...
, major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Jack CapuanoJack CapuanoJack Capuano is the head coach of the New York Islanders.He is a retired former professional ice hockey defenseman who spent parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League in the late 1980s and early 1990s....
-retired former professional ice hockey defenseman and head coach of New York Islanders - Jack Reed U.S Senator from Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
- Marissa CastelliMarissa CastelliMarissa Castelli is an American pair skater. With partner Simon Shnapir, she is the 2009 World Junior bronze medalist and 2009 U.S. junior bronze medalist....
- Bronze medalist at the 2008 U.S. Figure skating Championships in novice pairs, - Mark Van EeghenMark van EeghenMark van Eeghen ,is an American football player, who played ten years in the National Football League, including making two Super Bowl appearances. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders and for two seasons, the New England Patriots...
- Former NFL Pro Bowl running back who played for the Los Angeles Raiders and the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Michael ParkhurstMichael ParkhurstMichael Parkhurst is an American soccer player. He plays primarily as center back for F.C. Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga...
-Former New England Revolution soccer player. 2005-2008. 2005 MLS Rookie of the year, 2006 Humanitarian of the year, 2007 Defender of the Year, 2007 fair play of the Year, 2007 MLS Best XI, 2008 Fair Play of the Year - Monty Are IMonty Are IMonty Are I is an American rock band from Cranston, Rhode Island. Monty Are I is titled after the band instructor, Arthur Montanaro. The "Are I" portion of the name is a pun on "RI", Rhode Island's postal abbreviation.-History and Achievements:Monty Are I won Takeover Records' "Sign My Band"...
- Popular American Rock Band. All grew up in Westwood. - Nehemiah R. KnightNehemiah R. KnightNehemiah Rice Knight was a United States Senator from Rhode Island. Born in Cranston, he attended the common schools. In 1802 he was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives; he moved to Providence and was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas from 1805 to 1811 and clerk of the circuit...
- Governor of Rhode Island 1817-1821 and U.S. Senator 1821-1841, born in Cranston - Robert KnightRobert Knight (industrialist)Robert Knight was a New England industrialist and philanthropist, who was a partner with his brother Benjamin Knight in B. B. & R. Knight and was one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world when he died in 1912...
- textile manufacturer, founder of Fruit of the LoomFruit of the LoomFruit of the Loom is an American company which manufactures clothing, particularly underwear. The company's world headquarters is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is currently a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.-Company profile:... - Sasha CagenSasha CagenSasha Cagen is an American writer, editor, and entrepreneur best known for starting the quirkyalone movement. Her first book was Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics , and her second book To-Do List: From Buying Milk to Finding a Soul Mate, What Our Lists Reveal About Us, a...
, public intellectual and creator of the QuirkyaloneQuirkyaloneQuirkyalone is a neologism referring to someone who enjoys being single and generally prefers to be alone rather than dating for the sake of being in a couple....
movement - Sergei KhrushchevSergei KhrushchevSergei Nikitich Khrushchev , son of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, now resides in the United States where he is a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.-Career:...
- son of former Soviet Premier Nikita KhrushchevNikita KhrushchevNikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
, acts as a Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown UniversityBrown UniversityBrown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,... - Steven KrasnerSteven KrasnerSteven Krasner is a retired sports journalist and current author of children's books. He is best-known for covering the Boston Red Sox for The Providence Journal, which he did from 1986 until his retirement in 2008.-Early Life:...
- retired sportswriter and current author, born in Cranston - Christopher LippittChristopher LippittChristopher Lippitt was a prominent Revolutionary War officer and founder one of the earliest textile mills in Rhode Island.-Early life:...
- Revolutionary War officer, manufacturer - Tom MellorTom MellorThomas Robert Mellor is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman.Mellor was drafted 68th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1970 NHL Amateur Draft and played 26 regular season games in the National Hockey League for Detroit between 1973 and 1975...
- played in the national hockey league. won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics - Abraham NathansonAbraham NathansonAbraham Nathanson was an American graphic designer. He created the game Bananagrams, a game that uses letter tiles similar to Scrabble with the addition of the element of speed....
(1929–2010), developer of the game BananagramsBananagramsBananagrams is a word game invented by Abraham Nathanson of Narragansett, Rhode Island, wherein lettered tiles are used to spell words.Nathanson conceived and developed the idea for the game with the help of his family...
. - Vinny PazVinny PazVinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza is an Italian-American former boxer and world champion in the lightweight and light middleweight weight classes...
- former lightweight and light middleweight boxing champion - 1996 Little League National Champions-Cranston Western Little League-Defeated by Chinese Taipei 13-3 in World Championship.
- Will BlackmonWill BlackmonWilliam Edwards Blackmon is an American football Return specialist / Defensive Back who is currently a member of the New York Giants in the National Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers...
- NFL defensive back for Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, also starred at Bishop Hendricken High School and Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early... - Garrett McWeeney - Professional Basketball player/ Hollywood Playboy.*
- William Carpenter (Rhode Island)William Carpenter (Rhode Island)William Carpenter William Carpenter William Carpenter (born about 1610 probably in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England - died September 7, 1685 at Providence (Pawtuxet section now in Cranston, Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations) was a co-founder of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations...
- Early settler from 1644 and who in 1685 was buried on his former homestead in present-day Cranston. He was the first surnamed Carpenter to make permanent residence in America arriving from England in the mid-1630s. - Frederick Lewis WeisFrederick Lewis WeisRev. Frederick Lewis Weis, Th.D. reverend, author of a number of well-known genealogical books.Born in Cranston, Rhode Island to John Peter Carl Weis and his wife Georgina Lewis, both natives of Massachusetts. Second child of four children.In April 1913, he entered the United States Naval...
reverend, author - Don T. Volino, Jr. Italian philanthropist, media consultant
- Steve LaffeySteve LaffeyStephen Laffey was the Republican mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island with his term ending in 2007.-Background:Laffey was born in 1962 in Warwick, Rhode Island, one of five children born to John and Mary Laffey. When he was four years old, his family moved to Cranston, where his father worked as a...
, former Mayor of Cranston - Edward D. DiPreteEdward D. DiPreteEdward Daniel DiPrete is an American Republican Party politician from Rhode Island.DiPrete served as the 70th Governor of Rhode Island from 1985 to 1991, and was defeated for reelection in a landslide by former federal attorney and millionaire businessman Bruce Sundlun in 1990, who had twice lost...
, former Governor of Rhode Island and former Mayor of Cranston - Joe TrimbleJoe TrimbleJoseph Gerard Trimble was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in part of two seasons for the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates...
- former MLB pitcher for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... - Lauren Alviti - Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1997
- Freda Felcher - former girlfriend of Harry Dunne
- Jeff Diehl - baseball catcher. He was drafted in the 23rd round by the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 2011 MLB draft. - Anthony Meo - baseball pitcher. He was drafted in the 43rd round in 2008 by the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. He is currently pitches for Coastal Carolina. He was a 2nd team Freshman All-American his freshman year in 2009 and was a 1st team All-American his sophomore year in 2010. Meo was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 2nd round (63rd overall) in the 2011 MLB draft by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... - Tom Denucci - American Actor. He is most known for acting and writing the movies InkubusInkubusInkubus is an upcoming horror film produced by the Woodhaven Production Company, written by Carl Dupré, and directed by Glenn Ciano. The film stars Robert Englund, William Forsythe, Joey Fatone, Jonathan Silverman, Mike Cerrone, Tom Denucci, and Michelle Ray Smith.-Cast:*Robert Englund as...
, Loosies, Infected (2011 film)Infected (2011 film)Infected is an Canadian television Adventure Science-Fiction thriller film, which was directed by Adam Weissman.-Plot:Ben is a journalist who works with his ex-girlfriend Lisa for the Boston Daily. Her somewhat calm editorial life changes abruptly when an employee of the city of Boston said they...
, and PazPazPaz Oil Company Ltd. is the largest Israeli fuels company. Its name means "gold" in Hebrew. Paz distributes gasoline and other oil products through a network of gas stations, as well as natural gas for home use through its subsidiary PazGaz... - Amber van Eeghen - former cheerleader for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. She is also the daughter of former NFL running back Mark van EeghenMark van EeghenMark van Eeghen ,is an American football player, who played ten years in the National Football League, including making two Super Bowl appearances. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders and for two seasons, the New England Patriots...
, who also attended Cranston West. - Jennifer L. Cowart - Award-winning journalist and author; winner of Rhode Island Press Association Award and New England Press Association Award. Author of I'll Always Be There and author of Baby Notes: Practical Wisdom From One Mother to Another.
- Mike Stud - Professional rapper and college baseball pitcher who was First Team All-American as a freshman at Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
- Michael NapolitanoMichael NapolitanoMichael Napolitano is a former mayor of the city of Cranston, Rhode Island, succeeding Stephen Laffey. He defeated Councilman Allan Fung by 79 votes. He is a former Municipal Court Judge of the city, as well as a former instructor at Providence College...
- former Mayor of Cranston
Flood of 2010
In March 2010, after an overwhelming amount of rain, the Pawtuxet River overflowed. This caused many major sites such as the Warwick Mall, Contour Dental Laboratories, and the CLCF Building to be shut down and repaired.See also
- LuminoxLuminoxLuminox is a brand of watches and clocks that use tritium to illuminate the hands and numerals of its products. Luminox was originally designed for United States Navy SEALs when a procurement officer approached the company to design a watch specifically suited for the needs of this special...
, WatchWatchA watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
manufacturer based in Cranston
Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
creator Seth McFarlane has stated that the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island is modeled after Cranston.