CANTON —The list of firsts compiled by this town's historical society is extensive and includes the first copper rolling mill in the country by Paul Revere. The trees that became the masts of the USS Constitution were grown here.
But more recent history is that of a classic railcar suburb with strong ties to Boston, which is where nearly 30 percent of its residents work, according to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Current concerns include the traffic impacts of the massive Westwood Station redevelopment in Westwood. "Canton is not opposed to Westwood Station," selectmen wrote in a recent open letter. "But it is our responsibility to do what we can to assure that the state and the development address serious and significant impacts."
Green space includes both the state-owned Blue Hills and Neponset River reservations, the Ponkapoag Golf Course, and the town-owned Pequitside Farm with its Colonial-era house set on 33 acres.
Settled by Europeans in the early 1600s, Canton was first part of Dorchester and then a much larger Stoughton before being "set off" and becoming its own municipality in 1797.
It takes its name from the mistaken belief of resident Elijah Dunbar that the Chinese city of the same name was on the opposite side of the world.
On a recent week, Realtor.com listed 86 single-family homes for sale, ranging from $239,900 for a one-bed, one-bath, 822-square-foot home to $1.8 million for a four-bed, 5.5-bath, 6,227-square-foot home. Median price of a single-family home in 2007 was $395,000, according to Warren Group, which publishes real estate information.
JOHN ELLEMENT
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