Canton, Massachusetts

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Canton, Massachusetts
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Norfolk County in Massachusetts


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Massachusetts
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Norfolk
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1630
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1797
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
government_type = Open town meeting
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 50.7
area_total_sq_mi = 19.6
area_land_km2 = 49.0
area_land_sq_mi = 18.9
area_water_km2 = 1.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
population_as_of = 2007
settlement_type = Town
population_total = 21,916
population_density_km2 = 447.3
population_density_sq_mi = 1,159.6
elevation_m = 30
elevation_ft = 100
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 09 |lats = 30 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 08 |longs = 43 |longEW = W
website = [http://www.town.canton.ma.us/ www.town.canton.ma.us]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 02021
area_code = 339 / 781
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 25-11315
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0619457
footnotes =

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, Dunkin' Donuts, Computershare (North American HQ), [Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants,Organogenesis, Inc., ] Interpolymer Corporation, On Target System Solutions and Tweeter are located in Canton.

History

Canton was officially incorporated in 1797 from the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Some stories suggest that 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 [http://revererollingmill.googlepages.com/cantondale Canton Dale] about his affection for the town. In fact, Joseph Warren Revere Paul Revere's son owned the plastic factory Emerson Cuming that was recently torn down for condo/apartment development. Emerson Cuming relocated onto Washington street, a short walk from the Canton Public Library. Canton is also the birthplace of the Rising Sun Stove Polish Company founded by Elijah Morse.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.6 square miles (50.7 km²), of which, 18.9 square miles (49.0 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.7 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, and in the western part along Route 95.

Canton has boundaries with Massachusetts towns Milton, Randolph, Stoughton, Sharon, Norwood, Westwood, and Dedham, and with the Hyde Park neighborhood of the city of Boston.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2008, there were 20,775 people, 7,952 households, and 5,550 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,097.3 people per square mile (423.7/km²). There were 8,163 housing units at an average density of 431.1/sq mi (166.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.5% White, 2.9% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.01% Asian, 0.0003 Overlan, 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 13.2% 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 (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.

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.

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 Providence/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. Of note, on March 25, 2008 a runaway box car crashed into a MBTA train at Canton Junction station injuring 150 people onboard. [ [http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1082819&srvc=home&position=emailed Scores injured in Canton commuter rail crash - BostonHerald.com] Retrieved September 14, 2008] [ [http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15711288/detail.html Equipment, Personnel Eyed In Train, Boxcar Crash - Boston News Story - WCVB Boston] Retrieved September 14, 2008]

Another line branches into Stoughton, stopping at Canton Center.

Bus service is available to Mattapan Station in the MBTA system. [ [http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Bus/716map.pdf MBTA website] ."mbta.com". Accessed May 25 2008.]

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'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 convert|3|mi|km of walking trails.
*The world famous railroad viaduct which Tsar Alexander II sent workmen to draw extensive diagrams of in order that it could be copied is one of only three in the world. The other two are on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
* [http://www.acambis.com/ Acambis] , 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.

Notable residents

* Beverly Beckham Boston Globe Columnist [http://www.boston.com]
* Bill Burr Comedian
* Bruce Beckahm Executive Director, Tourism Cares [http://www.tourismcares.org/RelId/33637/ISvars/default/Home.htm]
* Commodore John Downes, U.S. Navy officer who fought in the War with Tripoli, the War of 1812 and commanded a punitive expedition to Sumatra in the 1830s, was born in town.
* Lauren Beckham Falcone Boston Herald Pop Culture/Lifestyles Reporter [http://www.bostonherald.com]
* Paul Revere Revolutionary
* Julie Beckham Founder/Teacher, Greater Boston Drama Studio [http://www.gbdramastudio.com/]
* Beth Erickson Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, Canton Citizen [http://www.cantoncitizenonline.com/]
* NHL 1986 Stanley Cup Champion Steve Rooney of the Montreal Canadiens
* MLB pitcher and World Series champion Bobby Witt
* MLB first baseman and American League MVP Mo Vaughn
* NBA basketball great Dave Cowens
* NBA Basketball player Dana Barros
* NFL Football player Randy Moss
* Stephen Schnetzer Actor
* Rob Mariano, a.k.a. "Boston Rob" Reality TV Character (Survivor) (The Amazing Race 7) (The Amazing Race All Stars)
* Anqunette Jamison WFXT anchor
* John Ligums former owner/president, minor league basketball franchise
* Paul Guilfoyle Actor, CSI:Crime Scene Investigation
* Andrew Carcerano National touring and studio session Guitarist
* Alex Herbert Aspiring Gordon Bay Marine LTD. Executive
* Thomas Rawding President of The Banterline, Inc.
* Scott Clyve Broadway Lighting Designer
* Jonathan Papelbon Red Sox closing pitcher

ister cities

* Finglas, Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.town.canton.ma.us/ Town Web Site]
* [http://www.tildenhouse.org/ The Historic David Tilden House]
* [http://www.canton.org/ Canton Historical Society]
* [http://www.cantonviaduct.us Canton Viaduct ]