The Town of Carver is situated in
southeastern Massachusetts,
38 miles from Boston,
and is the site of three rivers, brooks, ponds and sizeable swamps. The
town had large cedar and pine stands so the abundant water power provided
energy for many sawmills. The discovery of iron ore in the region
stimulated the development of iron foundries as well, while the
agricultural economy in the town was based heavily on cranberries. In the
1940's, the Town of Carver produced more cranberries than any town in the
world and despite dramatic population increases, Carver's cranberry bogs
are still an important part of the town. Additionally, the bogs, forest
land and large amounts of water served to limit development and retain a
rural flavor for the community. Money from iron built handsome mansions in
Carver, some of which still exist, while the foundries and bogs drew
immigrant workers from the Cape Verde islands and from Finland
who remain as part of the town's population. Although Carver is now
clearly a suburban commuter community, it is one of the few towns with a
significant remaining agricultural component as cranberries have become a
big national business. (Seal supplied by community. Narrative based on
information provided by the Massachusetts
Historical Commission) |