Knightsville was named for the Knight Family of Cranston, a well to do family who had connections in politics and industry. There is a local legend that Knightville was called monkey town. The tale goes a local lad in the 1700's when on a journey to see the world. When he returned with him he brought back with him an unusual creature, a monkey. People flocked to Knightsville on Cranston Street to see the animal, it being such a rare thing to see. Another legend goes that he brought back many monkeys and they escaped.
The old town hall was built in 1886 after town official squabbled about where to put the center of government for the town of Cranston. In 1910 when the City of Cranston was
incorporated the town hall became the City Hall. It served as the police station in the 1950's. It was eventually a victim of progress and was torn down. The city gazebo now stands on the place of the town hall.
