USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Canton > One hundred fifty years of yesterday : dedicated to Canton's tomorrows, Canton, Massachusetts 1947 > Part 1
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BLUE HILL C.C.
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1947
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150 years of yesterday's
DEDICATED TO CANTON'S TOMORROWS CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS 1947
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The Town Seal
PONKAPOAG -1650
STOUGHTON-1726
CANTON-1797
Originally part of Old Dorchester, settled early in 1630, Canton is proud of this heritage and boasts of it in its corporate seal first prepared in 1881. This seal, based on the science of Heraldry, has for a crest the triple-towered castle of Dorchester in old England-the coat of arms engraved on the tombstone of Lt. Gov. William Stoughton whose name we carried until 1797.
Canton was named by Elijah Dunbar who had the mis- taken idea that Canton, China, was directly antipodal. The town received its name officially through the act of incorpora-
tion signed by Samuel Adams as Governor of the Common- wealth in 1797.
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1797 CANTON
1947
Published on the 150th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Canton, Massachusetts, September 1947.
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Introduction
THIS sesquicentennial anniversary book is meant more as a pro- jection into the future rather than research into the past. Information was accumulated through the assistance of men well versed in Canton's history as well as public requests for material in the Canton Journal. Every effort has been made to make the chronicle com- plete. We hope you will accept it as a reminder that Canton's greatest growth lies ahead, and that Canton's ambitious plans for the future are an invitation to you to help make your town a still better place to make your home and enjoy a fuller share of modern country living.
Guests of Honor
Lieutenant Governor Arthur W. Coolidge
Senator Mason Sears
Representative Francis A. Harding Representative Leslie B. Cutler Major General Frank A. Keating Admiral M. T. Dale Rev. J. Lonsdale Dowson, Universalist, emeritus
Rev. Albert F. Ferguson, Episcopal
Rev. Oliver Francisco, Ponkapoag Chapel Rev. Earl M. Kenney, Universalist
Rev. Robert E. Lee, St. John's Catholic
Rev. Thomas A. Sinclair, Unitarian
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Index
COVER An original drawing by Joseph Gallo
TOWN SEAL
Opposite Title Page 4
INTRODUCTION
AERIAL VIEWS
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THE FIRST 150 YEARS
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OUR LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSES HAVE GROWN
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BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICA'S INDUSTRIES
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ABOUT THE COVER ..
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CANTON'S CHURCHES
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CANTON'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMS .
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"DID YOU KNOW?"
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A GOLF COURSE IN EVERY BACK YARD
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A MESSAGE FROM THE SELECTMEN
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CANTON'S FUTURE
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LOOKING AHEAD
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A PENNY SAVED - A PENNY EARNED - BANKS
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LAST ONE IN IS A SISSY - PONDS AND PARKS
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GOING MY WAY - TRANSPORTATION 26
A LITTLE PLACE IN THE COUNTRY - HOUSES AND HOMES 27
IT'S A DATE - SOCIAL GROUPS AND SOCIETIES .
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GOOD TO THE LAST DROP - CANTON'S WATER SUPPLY
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CANTON'S LIFE-BLOOD IS HER INDUSTRY 30
COMMITTEES FOR THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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Compiled and Edited by Gerard F. Burke
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Operation Crossroad. Taken August 6, 1947, the Thursday before construction began on the new Washington Street. Inspired by this first major step, Canton may well go on to a magnifi- cent future, the natural sequence of a spirited present. (Photo Les-Ann, Westwood.)
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The First 150 Years
T HE FIRST town in America to bear the name of Canton was part of Dorchester, and Stoughton, before it was incorporated in 1797 by the authority of Samuel Adams, then governor of Massachusetts. It was the year that George Washington completed his second term as Presi- dent and neighbor John Adams from Quincy became the first chief exec- utive from Massachusetts. At last count there were 23 more Cantons in the United States but none with the history and early American flavor of this town in the shadow of the great Blue Hill where Kenneth Roberts chose the setting for "Oliver Wis- well", his great historical novel of the Revolu- tionary War.
Fenno House, Built in 1704 the oldest residence in Canton
Canton has always had proper reverence for its proud past, and has managed to keep its perspec- tive facing the future. In the 1940 census, her population had grown to 6381 with 1336 single homes out of a total of 1532 residences. An abnormally high percentage of these had two cars in the garage because in that year there were 1783 car owners in the town!
Extending from the morning shadow of the Blue Hills to the line of Stoughton and Sharon on the south, Milton on the North and Ded- ham and Norwood on the west, Can- ton occupies an area of over nineteen square miles in Norfolk County. The oldest section of the town was first settled in 1650 at what is now Ponk-
apoag where the Neponset Indians were awarded a territory exclusive of selling rights till 1725. In 1720 the grant of the territory to the town of Dorchester was confirmed. In 1726 Stoughton was incorporated and took possession of the land, giving to Sharon the name of Stoughtonham in 1765 and retaining the rest as a pre- cinct of Stoughton till 1797 when Canton was formally incorporated.
The first ruler of what is now Can- ton was Chief Chicataubut who signed a treaty with the British at Plymouth, sometime prior to 1630. Ponka- poag derives its name from one of Chicatau- but's chieftains who was instru- mental in these early negotia- tions which cul- minated with the purchase of the territory by the white men in 1630. Chicatau- but died in 1633 and his brother Kitchamain was appointed acting sachem during the minority of Wam- patuck, son of Chicataubut. In 1637 the General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts fixed the southern limit of the New Grant which in- cluded Canton, at the Old Colony line. This made the new town the largest in New England comprising what is now Milton (incorporated 1662), Wrentham (1724), Stoughton (1726), Sharon (1765), Foxboro (1778), CANTON (1797), part of Dedham (1739), Dorchester Heights (1804), Washington Village (1849), most of Hyde Park (1868) and fin- ally Dorchester, January 1, 1870.
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The Viaduct
The oldest church in Canton is the First Parish Congregational, at Can- ton Corner, founded in 1717 and one of the first indications of the south westerly trend of the town's growth. All other denominations with the ex- ception of the Christian Union Chapel at Ponkapoag, have their churches near the center of the town. One of Canton's chief claims to fame
is, of course, its remarkable indus- trial development. Now the home of twenty-four leading manufacturers and processing plants, Canton can well boast of its capacity for accom- plishment. Iron and saw making began in Canton in 1787. In 1801 Paul Revere organized what was to become the Revere Copper and Brass Company. Thomas Draper intro-
The Blue Hill Observ- atory is on the highest point in the town. Owned by Harvard University, it is used for weather research and scientific study.
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duced cotton manufacture in 1856. Thread making appeared in 1821 and silk weaving in 1839.
As early as 1751, there are records of the earliest iron implements man- ufactured in America from iron dredged in Massapoag Pond and
forged in Canton.
The town's offices still occupy the Memorial Hall erected in 1880 "to commemorate the patriotism of the soldiers of Canton who fell in de- fense of the Union." The site was the gift of Elijah Morse.
The Canton Town Library, gift of Augustus Hemenway in 1902 at a cost of $70,000
About the Cover
Canton's part in America's history is many-fold and varied. So many interesting features had little association with each other that the only manner in which they could be presented as a whole was through the technique of a pictorial map. The work is self-sufficient, making a suitable subject for framing.
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Our Little Red Schoolhouses Have Grown
The Crane School on the corner of Bolivar and Washington Streets is perhaps the best known Canton school building. Dedicated April 18, 1854 it was declared at the time as unequalled in beauty of architecture and completeness of design. A town's school system is an indication of the
masonry. It will occupy the land now called the French estate on Washington Street.
At present, the Canton school sys- tem consists of six buildings, Gridley, Revere, Eliot, Crane, Ponkapoag and the high school. A glance at the pictures on these two pages tell better
The First High School
community's inner strength and re- sourcefulness. Canton recognizes the importance of our schools. This year, the new high school moved even closer to a reality when plans were approved by the citizens at town meeting. The new high school will be a New England Colonial structure of red brick, trimmed with white
than paragraphs the tremendous pro- gress in the schools since the first printed school report was published in 1841. The first school in the limits of the town was opened in 1768.
Besides the public school system, there is a parochial school of substan- tial proportions maintained by St.
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The Present High School
John's Catholic Church for over fifty years. In addition to these is the well-known St. Clement's School for boys which attracts youths from all parts of the state.
The new high school is of prime importance, and will be one of the finest as well as newest in Massachu- setts. Eventually it is hoped to
incorporate an auditorium and gym- nasium, both of which can be used by the public as well as the students.
The Massachusetts Hospital School for crippled children, located in Can- ton, and a part and parcel of our town, is the acme of institutions of its kind in the country.
Architect's drawing of the New High School which will occupy the present French estate.
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THE RISING SUN 51
VE
OLISH
THE SU
PASTE STOVE POLISH
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THE RISING SUN STOVE POLISH FACTORY
VE POLISH
ES
The Morse Brothers world-famous factory, from an old engraving, now Tobe Deutschmann
Birthplace of America's Industries
Canton's industries have always been important and diversified. Cot- ton, woolens, silk, rubber, webbing, fish lines, ink, blacking, stove polish, hose, violins, guns, electrical equip-
ment, radio research, knitted padding, leather dressing, shovel works, iron and copper, artists' colors, sizing com- pounds, fabric dyes, knitted goods, rubber and plastic products, light bev-
Paul Revere House, Canton, Mass.
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erages, are included in the list of in- dustries that have added to the man- ufacturing importance of Canton.
Since the early beginnings of the town's growth, a procession of Amer- ica's pioneers in mass production for better living have been attracted to Canton because of its accessability by all means of transportation, its nat- ural resources and its rich abundance of trained personnel. Here the fam- ous Paul Revere of the Revolutionary War spent 18 of the most important years of his life in a foundry for cast- ing copper and brass cannon, bells and other articles. Thomas Draper, a native of Melbourne, Derbyshire, England, was a pioneer of knit goods manufacture. Elijah Morse, merchan- dising and advertising genius, built an international reputation for his Rising Sun Stove Polish, and cases originated
from Canton to all the world. In 1824, the Neponset Woolen mills building, originally the Canton Bleachery, was completed as a stone mill. In 1821 Adam Kinsley, Jr. made sleigh shoes and ploughshares and the great Kinsley Iron Mill was born. Canton's famous Viaduct was constructed in 1834 to accommodate a single track for the fast through trains from Boston to the south. The viaduct to this day is probably our most picturesque man-made land- mark. Every trim block of stone bears the mark of the individual stone- cutters. The solid qualities of the viaduct is attested to by the fact that its load now is many times more than it was meant to carry, with two tracks suitable for unnumbered tons of streamlined steel that now cross it many times daily.
Original Rolling Mill, Revere Copper Company, now Plymouth Rubber
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PONKAPOAG UNION CHAPEL
Founded in 1878 with first meetings in Cabot's Grove and the old school house, the Ponk- apoag Christian Union Chapel occupies the building of its in- ception, since removed to its pres- ent site on Washington Street. Rev. Oliver Francisco in charge.
UNITARIAN "PINEAPPLE" CHURCH
The First Parish Congregational (Unitarian) whose 200th anniversary was celebrated in 1917, was a center of much of Canton's early history and perhaps no church has been so well perpetuated in history as this and de- serves a special perusal of Huntoon's History. Rev. Thomas A. Sinclair, Pastor.
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
While the year 1814 showed a total of five citizens of the town being certi- fied as Roman Catholics, the congrega- tion grew with the new town and the records of 1837 show a total of 100. The first chapel was at the top of the hill on Chapel Street. The present church dates from the authorization of the Parish in 1861, when Archbishop Williams appointed Fr. John Flatley as the first pastor. Rev. Robert E. Lee, Pastor.
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TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The history of the Old English Church dating from about 1754 and located in the old Ponkapoag section is covered extensively in Huntoon's History. The new Trinity Episcopal Church lo- cated near Memorial Hall, is one of the most beautiful types of House of Worship in the Commonwealth. Rev. Alfred F. Ferguson, Rector.
CONGREGATION BETH ABRAHAM
Founded in 1915 by Abraham Brightman. Max Brightman was president 1918-1929; R. Gordon, 1929-1930 and Isidore Ulman. 1930 to present. Situated at the top of the rise opposite the Can- ton R. R Staton on Washington Street. The congregation is active in civic affairs and at present is undertaking landscape in con- junction with the street widen- ing and changes,
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
The Norfolk Universal Society had by 1819 so far developed as to become affiliated with the Society called Uni- versalists. The religious meetings were held at Carroll's Tavern from about 1820 till 1825. Later the old Armory, Union Hall, and still later Leonard's Hall, were used and in 1845 permission was voted by the town to use the Town Hall until the dedication on November 10th, 1847 of the Universalist Meeting House. This church remodeled and enlarged stands at the corner of Me- chanic and Washington Streets. and is one of the outstanding buildings of the 'Village'. Rev. Earl McKenney, Pastor.
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Carlton B. Taber Maurice E. Ronayne, Jr. John L. Howard
Canton's 150th Any
Seven Days-Sunday, Sept. 14 thy
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th Anniversary services at all churches. Boat Regatta, Bolivar Pond, 8 P. M.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th Open House. "Canton Day" at Golf courses. Blue Hill C. C. Milton Whisic G. C. Wampatuck G. C.
TUESDAY, SETEMBER 16th Merchants' Co-operation Day. Anniversary Souvenir on sale.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th Artists' and Authors' Night Historical Exhibit at Canton Public Library Larry O'Toole, Guest of Honor
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th Band Concert, front of Crane School, 8 P. M. Norwood Musicians' Union, Local 343, A. F. M., under leadership of Carmine Mazzola.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th Block Dancing, rear of Town Hall, 8 P. M. "Wits" Phalen's Orchestra. 1
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niversary Programs
though Saturday Sept. 20, 1947
TURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th
Children's events, rear of Central Fire Station. 10:00 A. M. Doll Carriage Parade Pet Contest. Horribles Contest.
1:30 P. M. Parade of Floats, Bands, march- ing columns and massed colors of forty- eight state flags. Edward J. Beatty Post A. L. and 321st Army Band
Canton Community Corps Sharon Legion Corps
Fr. McAleer Drum and Bugle, Norwood
Most Precious Blood, Hyde Park Redmen's Band, Wakefield.
Combined V. F. W. and A. L., Attleboro
V. F. W., Lt. Norman Prince Post, Boston Edward J. Beatty Post 24 A. L. column V. F. W. Post No. 3163 St. Clement's Cadets Units of Canton Fire Department
Floats and representatives from neighboring communities
Fire apparatus from Stoughton, Sharon, Mil- ton, Dedham, Norwood, Walpole, Ran- dolph and Westwood.
( M., 3rd Battalion, 101st Infantry, Mass. National Guard, Norwood
Formations of First Air Force will patrol line of march at 2:30.
MEMORIAL TOWN HALL (left)
Memorial Hall is built on land given the town by Elijah Morse, amous advertising pioneer of Can- on. Dedicated 1880. Holds all own offices.
CONGREGATIONAL (Orthodox) CHURCH (right)
Familiar Town Clock church is favorite landmark. First organized assembly July 3, 1828. Present church dedicated 1860. Completely renovated.
John J. Lynch Mrs. Russell W. Lowry
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Did You Know?
Roger Sherman was the only Amer- ican to sign all THREE documents of the rebellion. Sherman lived with his family on their farm on the west- erly side of Pleasant Street in 1743 The first draft of the Suffolk Resolve; was adopted at Doty's Tavern on what is now Washington Street, near the junction of Route 128, at the foot of the Blue Hill. Subsequently approved by the Continental Con- gress at Carpenter's Hall, Phila- delphia, September 17, 1774, the resolves contained a complete dec- laration of war against Great Brit- ain, and with the Declaration of In- dependence and the Constitution constituted the three papers that made America a sovereign state . . . the "great troubler of the church" was Elhanon Lyon who was the scourge
of Elijah Dunbar, the reverend who named the town of Canton because he said it was directly opposite Can- ton, China .. .. Capt. William Pat- rick, the famous Indian fighter and Revolutionary hero raised his family of five children in Canton before being killed in ambush May 30, 1778, near Albany . . . Madame Knight, the cele- brated lady of the 18th century trav- elled by coach through Canton and stayed overnight at a local inn . . . Lafayette, John Adams and many rebel generals supped at Doty's Tav- ern ... Canton is part of a New Grant confirmed in 1720 to Dorchester, and divided into twelve divisions by land owners, hence the name "Twelve Divisions" in early maps of the ter- ritory ... In 1620 when the Pilgrims landed, they found Chicataubut the
Joseph Wattles and George Sumner traveling to Daniel Webster's funeral - 1852
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Old Revere Coach
Indian sachem in full command and had to do business with him. His son Wampatuck was crown prince . . . Sassamon, the son of Christian Indians, helped Reverend John Eliot translate the bible into the Indian tongue. Sassamon's violent death was the cause of King Philip's War be- cause he revealed the plots of King
Philip to the English. He was at one time, the king's secretary . .. the York section of Canton is so named be- cause its first settlers had been driven there by trouble with the Indians in York, Maine ... Paul Revere lived in Canton 18 years and here started the famous Revere Copper and Brass Co. William Ahauton, the early In-
Old Hand Tub at Town Hall
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The lead car of the first trolley run from Matta- pan Square, August 15, 1903, Postmaster E. C. Britton on the platform.
dian statesman who signed the deed of Boston in 1685 was from Ponka- poag ... Augustus Hemenway was one of Canton's leading benefactors. Besides giving the town its present library in 1902, he also donated the Ponkapoag schoolhouse ... Thomas Draper is the forerunner of Canton's well-known Draper family. In 1856 he established the Draper mills . Nathaniel May, inn-keeper of May's Tavern, was fined in 1735 for trav- elling on the Sabbath. I lis tavern was a stopping place for hundreds making the trip from Boston to Taun- ton and beyond. It was located on the corner of Washington and Pleasant
Streets . . . . Daniel T. V. Huntoon was the author of the only History of Canton, published by the town in 1893 ... General Gridley, after whom the school is named, was George Washington's chief engineer and planned the fortifications of Bunker Hill, where he was wounded. He was responsible for the first cannon and mortars ever cast in this country . .. The Neponset Woolen mills oc- cupy part of the original stone factory built in 1824 . . . Ponkapoag Golf Club is situated on the old Redman farm, the subject of a formal history by Ellis Ames in 1870 ... Canton's leading naval hero is Commodore
The Original Stone Mill, now the Neponset Woolen Mills, at the Viaduct
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John Downes, son of Jesse, who was purser's steward on the Constitution. John's first sea-going assignment was as a waiter on the Constitution. He was skipper of many ships, most famous of them the Guerriere .. . Margaret Fuller, author and educator was born in Canton February 15,
1789 ... Elijah Morse was the donor of the land where the Town Hall was built, as well as the Civil War me- morial that stands before it, giving it the name of Memorial Hall ... The first trolley from Mattapan Square ran August 15, 1903.
Draper Brothers' Mill, established 1856, At Canton Corner
It's A Date
The directory of Canton Societies is comprehensive and embraces those of virtually every persuasion. Included are the Edward J. Beatty Post, No. 24, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of American Legion, Junior American Legion Auxiliary, Post No. 3163, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Sons of Union Veterans, Masons, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Knights of Columbus, Hibernians, Holy Name Society, Beth Abraham Youth, Foresters, Daughters of Isabella, Hibernian Auxiliary, Junior Division of Hibernians, Ponkapoag Civic Association, Community Club, Parent-Teachers Association, Canton Teachers' Club, The Informal Players, Rotary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Girls' Horizon, Sea Scouts, Garden Club, Ponkapoag Grange and Auxiliary, Canton Town Club, Canton Corner Club, American Legion Band, Bolivar Boat Club, Canton Community Chest and Council, Italian Mutual and Benefit Society, Sons of Italy, Firemen's Mutual Benefit Society, Canton Nursing Association, Hebrew Ladies' Aid Society, Trinity Club, Canton Men's Club, Mothers' Club, Canton Historical Society, Canton Branch American Red Cross, Fish and Game Club, Rod and Gun Club, in addition to various church groups.
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A Message From Your Selectmen
Our 150th Anniversary as an incorporated municipality demands that we look purposefully toward the future as we ponder with pride our accom- plishments of the past.
Industrial America had her beginnings here in copper and textile man- ufacture, and industry's international advertising also sprang from a Canton enterprise. Recent years have found our industries foremost in specialized rubber and electrical products.
Our town has always headed the nations list of charitable communities, and every war has called our sons in numbers out of proportion to our popula- tion. Our townspeople originated the idea of sending Christmas checks to their service men and women, and ours was the state's first town to develop a complete veteran's apartment project.
But we cannot be content with achievements of days gone by. The re- construction of Washington Street, the continued development of our new playgrounds, and the proposed new high school all give us incentive to work together harmoniously and hopefully toward a community of which we can continue to be proud both for our heritage and for our hope for the future.
It is with this spirit that the Board of Selectmen approach the opportunity of bringing reality to the aspirations of the citizens of Canton.
CARLTON B. TABER MAURICE E. ROYNANE, JR. JOHN L. HOWARD
PARKING FOR AUDITORIUM
FIRE
STA
SCHOOL
BOLIVAR
+ -- PROVIDE FOR FUTURE WIDENING
MECHANIC
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'ANK FOR FIRE PUMP
WASHINGTON
PARKING HIGH LEVEL
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PARKING
WALL
WALL
CHURCH
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SITE FOR MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM
PARK
ROCKLAND
BRICK STORES
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Canton's Future
C ANTON is now the scene of the greatest activity in its history with the widening and modernizing of the Wash- ington street business section, the construction of a new high school and the broad scope of its future planning. The following section is devoted to these coming years. Dedicated to such youngsters as the two shown above, we may confidently expect a promising future. Pictured with Winky, their cocker spaniel are Peter, 9, and Susan, 5, children of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. Curra of 316 Washington Street. They will take part with the many other charming young citizens of Canton in the Doll carriage parade and pet contest on Saturday September 20, 1947. Photo courtesy of Boston Globe.
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Looking Ahead
WHY live in Canton? There could be 6704 answers to that ques- tion for that's the number of people who live in Canton. The majority would agree on the excellent com- muting conditions, the rich natural resources, both of materials and labor, and the healthy atmosphere of rolling hills, farmland and wealth of lakes and parkways and ponds. It's not just coincidence that Canton has so many mills, factories and golf courses! Such things go together. No new town starting off in the twentieth century would expect to have its in- fluence so far-reaching even in its first 150 years. Canton has this col- orful past, yet when the center of town has completed its construction,
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