Hanover Then and Now

by Barbara Barker

The first family to settle in the bounds of Hanover was William Barstow who came up the North River from the coast at Scituate in 1649. He settled near the river in the area now referred to as Four Corners. He was a husband, father, farmer, a bridge builder, a ship builder,and keeper of an ordinary among other things. Others followed him seeking more land, and by the early 1700’s there were 200 families who petitioned the Massachusetts General Court to separate from Scituate and incorporate their own town, to be called Hanover in 1727. John Simmons in his “History of Hanover” suggests that the name “Hanover” was taken by those loyal subjects of the King of England, George I., who before ascending the throne of Great Britain, had been Elector of Hannover. Mr. Simmons goes on to say that the difference in spelling can be accounted for by the “inclination , which has always been prominent in this country, to make improvement in every way upon everything.”

A description of the town life at the time of the Revolution is quoted from Lucy Bonney, one of the authors of “Houses of the Revolution”. “In the vicinity of the North River Bridge, where ship-building had been conducted for over a century, there was the largest settlement. At each of the old and new Forges, there were a few settlers. The little streams turned the wheels of several saw and grist mills around which a few homes had been built.

“There was an ordinary at the bridge, taverns at the Four Corners and one at Drinkwater.

“The rest of the town was covered by self-sustaining farms. Each was a large clearing where had been built a sturdy house of superb architecture. Beyond, were the barns for horses, cattle, sheep and oxen. There were gardens and orchards which provided food for the family and the farm animals, flax for the weaving of linen and herbs, as there was no doctor is town. Farther on were meadows and pasture land surrounded by stone walls and hay fields. Beyond the clearing was an extensive acreage of woodland which provided fuel for the great fireplace and lumber for building.

“Only a few main thoroughways existed: the Country Way from the North River Bridge toward Boston, the Town Way to the Forges, the Drinkwater Way over Tumble Down Hill to the Abington line and Curtis Street from the Center of town to the North. Many little woodland lanes led from house to house or to the main road. Some later became streets, others can still be found in wooded areas.

“Many of the old homes are now here, some inhabited by the descendants of the early builder. Others are gone, but many a long forgotten house can be traced today by a lilac bush still blossoming near an old broken foundation or a nearby stonewall.

“Much of the old charm has disappeared, but that which remains is still beautiful.”

Throughout the years that followed changes gradually occurred. More houses were built, the district schools were turned over to the town, and later consolidated, a high school was begun in the town hall, a railroad and trolley came and went. Many of the farmers and shipbuilders became shoemakers: doctors came to town. Electricity and the telephone arrived at the turn of the 20th century, and the automobile followed. It was the last three advances that changed life in our rural town.

The end of World War II saw a burst of building and later the Southest Expressway resulted in Hanover changing to a suburban community with many fine new homes, (although the old ones are the jewels). The town boasts of a fine educational system, a fine pre-school and kindergarten program, two elementary school, a middle school and a high school which sends 89.5 percent of its graduates on to higher education. The public library is well used and is looking forward to an addition.There are six churches, and many civic clubs and organizations. The old volunteer fire companies still exist in the villages, but there is the most modern equipment, and a permanent force at the Center Station. The police force is well educated and one of the best on the South Shore, and is looking toward a modern police station soon to be constructed.

Business has moved much of its focus from the mills along the streams and the Four Corners to route 53 and the Hanover Mall.

But Hanover Center, which has just received Historic District nomination, still retains a pastoral feel, featuring the Congregational Church, the Parsonage, the Town Hall, the Library, the Stetson House, the Civil War Monument, the Cemetery, and the Sylvester School. Near by is Briggs Stable with horses prancing around the ring and riding along nearby trails. One can almost imagine that time has stood still here.

Most of all Hanover has always had people who loved their families, their town, supported education, had a strong value system and a spirit of volunteerism. Hanover people are proud of their town.