Cranston Through Time (America Through Time)

In 1638, the first settlers of the land that is now Cranston, Rhode Island, left Roger Williams' settlement in Providence and traveled south to make their new homes along the Pawtuxet River. The river and their village were named after the Indian word for "little falls." The placement of the settlement was well planned. Besides providing a means of transportation, the river was a source of water for their animals and crops. The river emptied into a bay filled with fish and shellfish, providing them with additional food. In time, the Pawtuxet Falls was used to power their grist and textile mills. Several bridges have been built over the river and the newest structure is now part of the busy main street of this quaint village. As more settlers came into the area, other villages were established. Cranston became a town in 1754, although many inhabitants still identified more closely with their village. Years later, Cranston remains divided into distinctive communities, each with its own character and history, but they all add up to make Cranston a special city.

SANDRA MOYER and JANET CULLEN RAGNO, two members of the Cranston Historical Society, have collaborated in compiling and describing photographs showing how the city of Cranston has changed through the years. They hope that people who remember Cranston from their youth, as well as younger people interested in what existed before them, will all enjoy the "then and now" photographs in this book. All the proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the Cranston Historical Society to help in its mission to protect, preserve and promote this city's history.