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Canton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Canton, MA

Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,370 at the 2020 census. Canton is part of Greater Boston, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of downtown Boston.

The area that would become Canton was inhabited for tens of thousands of years before European colonization. The Paleo-Indian site Wamsutta, radiocarbon dated to 12,140 years before the present, is located within the bounds of modern-day Canton at Signal Hill. At the time of the Puritan migration to New England in the early 1600s, Canton was seasonally inhabited by the Neponset band of Massachusett under the leadership of Sachem Chickatawbut.

From the 1630s to the 1670s, increasing encroachment by year-round English settlers on lands traditionally inhabited only part of the year, devastating virgin soil epidemics, and English colonial policy pushed native people into Praying Towns, a precursor to modern-day Indian reservations. The modern town of Canton was the site of Ponkapoag, the second Praying Town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was set off from Dorchester in 1657, three years after English colonists resettled a group of Nemasket there from Cohannet, modern-day Taunton. The so-called Praying Indians that settled in Ponkapoag are known today as the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag.

In 1674, King Philip's War led to significant depopulation of Ponkapoag, which found itself on the fault lines of one of the bloodiest conflicts in North American history, and in October 1675 those Praying Indians that remained were forcibly removed to Deer Island by order of the Massachusetts General Court. After the war, in part because of the loss of life and the fleeing of native refugees north to join the Wabanaki Confederacy, the General Court disbanded 10 of the original 14 towns in 1677 and placed the remaining four, including Ponkapoag, under the supervision of colonists. Over the next hundred years although Ponkapoag remained an official entity, loss of self-determination and privatization of collective lands led to the gradual intermixing of native and settler populations in the area.

In 1726, Stoughton, Massachusetts, split from the large original territory of Dorchester; then on February 23, 1797, Canton was officially incorporated from the territory of Stoughton. The name "Canton" was suggested by Elijah Dunbar and comes from a belief that Canton, China, was antipodal to it. This is not possible, since they are both well north of the Equator; they are, however, about 2 degrees from being antipodal in longitude, ignoring latitude. In addition to being a prominent Canton citizen, Elijah Dunbar was the first president of the Stoughton Musical Society from 1786 to 1808. Now named the Old Stoughton Music Society, it is the oldest choral society in the United States.

Paul Revere built the nation's first copper rolling mill in Canton in 1801. His poem entitled Canton Dale expresses his affection for the town. Canton was the location of the Rising Sun Stove Polish Company, founded by Elijah Morse, a wealthy merchant and creator of the pot-belly stove.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.6 square miles (51 km2), of which, 18.9 square miles (49 km2) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) of it (3.27%) is water. Canton lies at the foot of Great Blue Hill. The Canton River flows through the center of the town, linking a chain of small lakes including Bolivar and Forge Ponds, and flowing into the Neponset River. The Neponset River forms the boundary between Canton and its western neighbors: Norwood, Westwood, and Dedham. In addition to wooded land, the area includes wetlands, particularly in the eastern part along Route 138 near the Randolph and Stoughton borders, and in the western part along I-95. Canton borders the towns of Dedham, Milton, Norwood, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Westwood, and the Hyde Park neighborhood in the city of Boston.

Canton places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Canton Urgent Care offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Anytime Fitness Canton can be one of the choices for health and wellness goals. Start your day with a refreshing session at Blue Hills Reservation, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, and scenic views. Solstice Day Spa is perfect for relaxing and rejuvenating with massages and spa treatments. For family-friendly fitness, Orchard Cove provides wellness programs tailored to seniors. Canton Club offers a comprehensive gym experience with classes and personal training. Enhance your mental wellness with meditation and mindfulness workshops at Open Spirit Center. 

Top Sites in Canton, MA are TreeTop Adventures, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, and The Bradley Estate.
 

Population: 24,370 (2020). ZIP Code: 02021. Area code: 781/339. Elevation: 30 m (100 ft). Area: 19.6 square miles (51 km2).
 

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Canton, MA?

Canton has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Canton is 1 in 90. How does Canton fare compared to other communities in Massachusetts of all population sizes? Canton's crime rate is lower than approximately 26% of Massachusetts communities.

Is Canton, MA a nice area?

Canton is a suburb of Boston with a population of 24,293. Canton is in Norfolk County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Canton offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Canton, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in Canton and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Canton are highly rated.

What is Canton, MA famous for?

Canton earned its name in 1797 due to the early belief that Canton, China was on the exact opposite side of the earth. In 1801, Paul Revere chose Canton to be home to the nation’s first copper rolling mill. One of the oldest houses in America, the David Tilden House, has stood in Canton for nearly 300 years. This city is home to the headquarters of Reebok and Computershare as well as New England's biggest coffee love affair, Dunkin' Donuts.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Canton

Neighborhood Scout

Niche

Meet Boston

TreeTop Adventures 

Blue Hills Trailside Museum 

The Bradley Estate

Canton Urgent Care

Anytime Fitness Canton

Blue Hills Reservation

Solstice Day Spa

Orchard Cove

Canton Club

Open Spirit Center

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