Canton Corner Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Canton Corner Historic District
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House on Washington Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Roughly Washington St. from Pecunit St. to SW. of Dedham St., and Pleasant St. from Washington St. to Reservoir Rd., Canton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 170 acres (69 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000697 |
| Added to NRHP | September 9, 2009 |
The Canton Corner Historic District is a special area in Canton, Massachusetts, where many old and important buildings are protected. It's like a living museum of the town's past! This district is located around the busy intersection of Pleasant and Washington Streets. It covers about 170 acres, which is like 170 football fields!
More than 25 buildings are part of this district. These buildings show how architecture has changed over 250 years. Some of Canton's most important public buildings are also found here. The district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 9, 2009. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
Contents
Exploring Canton's Historic Center
The town of Canton is located south of Boston, Massachusetts. English settlers first came to this area in the 1600s. They were involved with the Ponkapoag native community, which was a "praying town." A praying town was a special village where Native Americans lived and learned about Christianity.
How Canton Corner Grew
Over time, the main part of Canton moved southwest in the 1700s. This happened because the farmland there was better. Washington Street, which is the main east-west road in the district, was built in 1700. Pleasant Street was built a bit later, in 1723. It runs south from Washington Street.
Pleasant Street crosses a small dam. This dam helped create Reservoir Pond by holding back water from Pequid Brook. The town's very first meetinghouse was built at Canton Corner in 1707. A meetinghouse was a building used for both religious services and town meetings. Later, the town hall was built in the same area in 1824.
Buildings and Their Styles
The Canton Corner Historic District stretches along Washington Street. It goes from Dedham Street to the Canton Corner Cemetery. It also extends south along Pleasant Street to Pequid Brook.
The houses in this district show many different architectural styles. Some homes are over 250 years old! For example, the David Tilden House at 93 Pleasant Street was built around 1725. It is an example of the Georgian style, which was popular in the 1700s.
Other houses show later styles. The Bessie Estey House at 1452 Washington Street was built in 1905. It is an example of the Craftsman/Bungalow style, known for its natural materials and simple designs.
The oldest public building in the district is the First Congregational Parish Church. It was built in 1824. This church shows a mix of styles from the late Federal period, with some Greek and Gothic Revival features. Another beautiful building is the John Williams House at 18 Dedham Street. It's a great example of Italianate architecture, which often features wide eaves and tall windows.
Gallery
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House on Pleasant Street
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House on Pleasant Street
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Reservoir Pond
