Ponkapoag School¹

The Ponkapoag School has its origins in the 1726 reading and writing school conducted at Robert Redman's with a grant of £20 from the Town of Dorchester. In 1760, the first schoolhouse was built for the district. In 1767, classes were taught by Elijah Dunbar for six weeks beginning on July 6, under what was known as the "moving-school system". In 1792, classes were mentioned as being taught by Lemuel Gay. In 1794, the district was extended northeast from Ponkapoag Brook. In 1797, at the time of Canton's incorporation, the school was listed as Blue Hill Branch, No. 2. In 1799, the first schoolhouse was moved to the Milton line. That same year, a new schoolhouse was built. In 1827, classes were mentioned as being taught by Ellis Ames. In 1894, following funding by Augustus Hemenway, a third schoolhouse was built near the second schoolhouse, which had become the Ponkapoag Chapel. The 1969 completion of the Hansen School rendered the Ponkapoag School un-necessary and ended its career as an educational facility. In 1975, Police Chief John Ruane proposed converting the building into a police sub-station. The Selectmen supported this idea but for various reasons, it did not come to be. The school currently houses the administrative offices of the Old Colony Boy Scout Council.

Resources¹

History of the Town of Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, by Daniel T. V. Huntoon. 134-141, 144, 324.    

Canton Comes of Age 1797-1997, by the Canton Bicentennial Historical Committee. 10-11, 107.