Cranston, City center in Providence County, United States.
Cranston is the second largest city in Rhode Island and spreads from the Pawtuxet River to Narragansett Bay with residential streets, shops, and low buildings. Roads run through quiet neighborhoods of single-family homes and lead to shopping centers where parking lots and wide avenues shape everyday life.
The settlement separated from Providence in 1754 north of the Pawtuxet River and remained a farming community for many years. It gained city status in 1910 after factories and homes began clustering along the waterways.
The St. Mary's Feast began in 1905 and brings traditions from the Italian town of Itri to life each year through processions and gatherings. Families meet in streets and parks during the event, turning parts of the city into a place where old recipes and music are passed from one generation to the next.
Garden City Center and Chapel View offer shops and restaurants for everyday needs, while small parks provide spots for walking. Many places are easiest to reach by car because distances between neighborhoods can be long.
The geographic center of Rhode Island's population falls within the city limits, a point calculated by census data. This spot shifts slightly with new counts but often stays nearby, showing where most people live in the small state.
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