Canton, Massachusetts

Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,775 at the 2000 census.

The headquarters of Reebok, Baskin Robbins and Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants are located in Canton.

History

Canton was first settled in 1630 and was officially incorporated in 1797. The name "Canton" comes from the early belief that Canton, China was on the complete opposite side of the earth. Paul Revere once had a silver smelt there, and wrote the poem entitled Canton Dale about his affection for the town. Canton claims also to have been the birthplace of Rising Sun Stove Polish as well as the pay toilet.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.7 km² (19.6 mi²). 49.0 km² (18.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (3.27%) is water.

Canton lies at the foot of Great Blue Hill. The Neponset River flows through the center of the town, linking a chain of small lakes including Bolivar and Forge Ponds. In addition to wooded land, the area includes wetlands, particularly in the eastern part along Route 138 near the Randolph and Stoughton, and in the western part along Route 95.

Canton has boundaries with Massachusetts towns and cities Milton, Randolph, Stoughton, Sharon, Norwood, Westwood, Dedham, and Boston.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 20,775 people, 7,952 households, and 5,550 families residing in the town. The population density was 423.7/km² (1,097.3/mi²). There were 8,163 housing units at an average density of 166.5/km² (431.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.52% White, 2.88% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 7,952 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $69,260, and the median income for a family was $82,904. Males had a median income of $52,216 versus $40,755 for females. The per capita income for the town was $33,510. About 2.2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Canton has the open town meeting form of government. Annually each spring, and as necessary, the voters gather to discuss matters such as construction, schools, public works, recreational facilities, the budget, taxes and bond issues.

Property taxes on residential and other land, buildings and improvements, and transfers from the state government, are two important sources of revenue for the town.

The five elected members of the Board of Selectmen oversee the day-to-day operations of the town government.

Various organizations such as the Finance Committee and the Planning Board advise the voters at the town meeting and carry out administrative functions throughout the year.

Transportation

Interstate Routes 93 and 95 (Massachusetts Route 128) diverge in Canton. Route 93 goes east, then north into Boston, from which it continues north into New Hampshire. Route 95 is locally a beltway that skirts Boston to the west, continues circling Boston until it is north of the city, then goes north through New Hampshire into Maine. South of Canton, it leads to Rhode Island, New York, Washington, D.C. and ultimately to Florida.

Massachusetts Route 138 has a cloverleaf interchange with Route 93 in Canton near Great Blue Hill. From Canton, it goes north into Milton, then enters Boston in the Mattapan section. South of Canton, it travels to Stoughton, continuing into Rhode Island, ending in Newport.

Massachusetts Route 24 is a divided, limited-access highway that originates at Route 93 in Randolph, just east of Canton. From there, it goes south through the easternmost corner of Canton, running roughly parallel to Route 138 as far as Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

MBTA commuter rail trains on the Attleboro/Stoughton Line pass through Canton. Some stop at Canton Junction. This line crosses the Neponset River on the Viaduct, a prominent local landmark. Route 128 Station in neighboring Westwood also carries many Canton commuters into Boston. Amtrak trains (including the Acela Express high-speed trains) also stop at Route 128, but pass through Canton without stopping.

Another line branches into Stoughton, stopping at Canton Center.

Bus service is available to Mattapan Station in the MBTA system.

Although Canton once had an airfield, it no longer does. Norwood Memorial Airport is the closest airport to Canton. For scheduled air service, residents go to Boston's Logan International Airport or to T. F. Green Airport in Rhode Island.

Points of interest

The Massachusetts Audubon Society Visual Arts Center. Mass Audubon’s Visual Arts Center, where the Mildred Morse Allen Wildlife Sanctuary is located, houses extensive collections of natural history art and photography. Public programs integrating art and nature, and changing exhibitions in the gallery, provide opportunities for visitors to view featured works from the collections. Explore Mildred Morse Allen Wildlife Sanctuary’s scenic trail system through a meadow, forest, and red maple swamp. Be sure to visit in the spring when many wildflowers are in bloom and vernal pools are filled with frogs and salamanders. In the spring and summer, look for red-tailed hawks nesting in the sanctuary. Be on the lookout for deer, fox, and coyote tracks throughout the property in the winter.

The Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, a non-profit museum, is a country house designed by Charles A. Platt with garden grounds located at 2468B Washington Street (Route 138). In 1902 Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot hired Platt to design a country house with landscaping and outlying farm buildings, with formal grounds include lawns, a walled garden, and a parterre. In 1945, Cabot's niece, Eleanor Cabot Bradley, added ponds, a camellia house and greenhouse, and planted specimen trees. The land includes more than 60 acres of meadows and woods, with some 3 miles of walking trails.

Smallpox Vaccine

Acambis Inc., one of the few smallpox vaccine producers contracted by the United States Government, makes its vaccine at the Shawmut Industrial Park in Canton. In the many months after September 11, 2001 attacks, Army National Guard units were stationed around the factory and now the Canton Police has a regular patrol of the park.

Town partnerships

Finglas, Republic of Ireland

External links

Towns in Massachusetts | Norfolk County, Massachusetts

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