Canton

Canton, a spacious residential Community conveniently situated just 18 miles southwest of Boston, is far enough away from the big city to provide residents with a laid-back, homey feeling of Community, but close enough so the morning commute won't be so intense. Canton enjoys a prime location, offering easy, direct access to the state's major highways (including Routes 128, I-95 and 24), and is served by major commuter and passenger rail – making the trip to Boston that much easier and convenient.

Canton celebrates a rich and varied industrial heritage. Many, many years ago, Canton was the home of Paul Revere's copper rolling mills in post-Colonial times, and is the site of rubber, chemical and woolen manufacturers in these more recent days. Canton was incorporated as a town in 1797 and named for the city of the same name in China. Canton, Massachusetts was named for Canton, China based upon the belief that the two locations were at complete ends of the Earth from each other. In Paul Revere days, the legendary figure himself wrote a poem describing his love for the town in the ode titled Canton Dale.

Present commercial and industrial enterprises play a key role in the town's fiscal stability, and are considered a major asset of the Community – making Canton a thriving little town that offers more than just living space to its citizens. Today, huge companies such as Allied Domecq, Baskin Robbins, Interpolymer Corporation, Reebok, Quick Service Restaurants, and Tweeter all are headquartered in Canton. The prime commercial area is well located, for direct highway access that won't kill Canton's small-town charm and friendly feeling of Community.

Canton provides a high level of municipal services to its residents, including a public library, excellent public school system and recreation programs that will help anyone get involved and stay active. Many of the town's lakes, ponds, and wetlands are under state protection, and preserved for present enjoyment and future generations. Among the protected areas are the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Reservation, an 82 acre estate that blends open fields, woodlands and gardens in the shadow of Great Blue Hill. You might also enjoy Pequitside Farm, a town-owned, 38-acre conservation and recreation area which offers hiking, picnicking and cross-country skiing.

For history that dates back to times even before the American Revolution, you'll want to take in an eyeful (or two) of the Tilden House. There is much more to Canton history than most realize, so enrich your knowledge with materials from the Canton Historical Society.

Residents feel that the natural beauty of Canton, combined with the numerous town-sponsored spring and summer recreation programs set this town apart from all others in the state... even the world. And, perhaps it does, as Canton has even been home to some very notable residents.

The 2000 U. S. Census shows that the median income for a Canton family was just over eighty thousand, while the median income for a household was just under seventy thousand.

A diverse mix of people and economic structure makes Canton a comfortable place for people from all walks to life to enjoy. Want entertainment? Culture? History? Shopping? You'll find it all, right inside Canton. Take a walk through the beautiful Massachusetts Audubon Society's Visual Arts Center. It's here that you'll find the Mildred Morse Allen Wildlife Sanctuary. A vast collection of art and photography is located here, along with an extensive scenic trail system that takes visitors through a forest, red maple swamp, and rolling meadow. You might also enjoy the sights at the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, which was once a privately-owned country house but today stands as a historic museum. Lawns, a walled garden, and a parterre make up the oldest portions of the outside property (dating back to 1902), while the ponds, greenhouse, and camellia house were added in 1945. With more than sixty acres of beauty and three miles of scenic walking trails, you could spend an entire day here and still see new things.

For small-town charm, you'd be hard-pressed to find a town friendlier or prettier than Canton. A population of more than twenty thousand (2000 U. S. Census) and a population density of just over one thousand people per square mile definitely don't declare Canton as a small town, but the friendly faces that greet you, along with the family-owned establishments and charming Community areas definitely bring to mind a close-knit feeling of warmth and welcome.