The following is an excerpt from “Images on Glass,” the latest installment of True Tales from Canton’s Past by George T. Comeau. The full version of this story, along with a page of “Then and Now” photos depicting
At 38 years old, the author had amassed a small fortune and was in a position to purchase the country estate in Ponkapoag. After laboring for 20 years in the editorial mill and publishing seven volumes of poetry and four bestselling books, he had established himself as “one of the most delightful writers of his […]
The Rockland Street neighborhood was just that — a neighborhood. Everyone knew everyone else, and in 1912 it was predominantly composed of immigrant families. A look at the census sheet tells the story — names like Casey, Ward, Roache, Fitzgerald, and Sullivan. The occupations further paint the picture: mason, bookkeeper, laundress, assembler, seamstress, and blacksmith. […]
A question was recently posed on Facebook that asked, “What would you consider the Golden Era of Canton?” There were only a handful of answers. Sarah Titus answered, “Now. Schools are great, streets are clean, seniors getting a new clubhouse, new walking trails at the eyesore airport, good things happenin’!” But of course, my answer […]
The following is the second in a two-part series on the Ponkapoag Fire of 1924. Click here for part 1. The crowd that gathered in front of the house at 2246 Washington Street stood by helplessly and watched as fire engulfed the two-story wooden structure. Trapped inside were seven people who clung to life as […]
The following is the first in a two-part series on the Ponkapoag Fire of 1924. Click here to read part 2. Albert D’Attanasio was in a strange new place. The Comune di Loreto Aprutino is a small village in central Italy in the Abruzzo region. At any other time in the life of a 4 […]
They were called “young hoodlums,” and the newspaper editorial was particularly vicious in the description of these children of Canton. “They are allowed to roam around the village making life almost unbearable for the passer-by on some of our streets during the day and early evening.” It was the heat of that August 1912 that […]
In my hands are several fine pieces of china, remembrances of Canton’s history. Several small white English bone china pieces that have scenes of our history in black etchings. Turning a bowl over, the stamp on the back reads, “Made in England, Unitarian Ladies Sewing Circle.” I have always been drawn to these relics, always […]
The following is an excerpt from “The Bears Arrive,” the latest installment of True Tales by local historian George T. Comeau Bear Pack 77 descended like a pack of small cubs. They tumbled and played on the front lawn of the Canton Historical Society. A warm spring afternoon and a slight breeze caused the light […]
The following is the second in a two-part series on the Burr Lane Burying Ground by local historian George T. Comeau. Click here to read the full text of part one, “Skull and Bones.” The dog was covered in spring mud. After the rains he was always coming home filthy with sticks and old roots. […]
