Canton in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Power’s in the Water

— Paul Revere Heritage Site —

The Power of Water Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 14, 2026

1. The Power of Water Marker

Inscription.
The Power's in the Water This location represents the lowest flow point for the east branch of the Neponset River that passes through the property to the Fowl Meadows (a very large marshy area of 8,400 acres encompassing eight surrounding towns). Early mill owners in Canton created a series of "mill ponds" to channel and reserve water for use as power to drive water wheels and to eliminate industrial waste. The Canton River (east branch of the Neponset River), which you see before you, was the only drainage from this series of dams and ponds. Paul Revere saw the potential for power generation and matched it with the needs of his enterprise. Before electricity, waterpower was one of the main sources of energy in the U.S., and the mill owners who relied on this waterpower were at the mercy of rainfall, droughts, and ice.

Think for a moment about what it might be like to have no power at all. What are the potential sources of energy that power your home, office, or workplace?

(image caption)
— In 1880 the dams that were here were 19.5 feet high, and their drop created 250 horsepower. Two steam turbines

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provided an additional 125 horsepower. (Image courtesy Canton Historical Society)

Erected 2025 by Town of Canton.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 42° 9.301′ N, 71° 8.985′ W. Marker is in Canton, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It can be reached from Revolution Way east of Neponset Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canton MA 02021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Massachusett Tribe Member at Ponkapoag (here, next to this marker); Rubber Plant Worker (a few steps from this

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 14, 2026

2. The Power of Water Marker

marker); Harnessing Nature (within shouting distance of this marker); Ponkapoag (within shouting distance of this marker); Honest Miller’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); Immigrants, The Key to the Site’s Success (within shouting distance of this marker); Canton Dale Resident (within shouting distance of this marker); A View Across Time (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other local historical mill sites.

Also see . . . Waterways - Paul Revere Museum.

Improvements in roads, bridges and waterways in the 18th century encouraged increased movement of goods and people as populations spread from Boston to outlying areas including Canton. The Neponset River’s flows encouraged dam-building and manufacturing as businesses sought to use water as an energy source.

(Submitted on August 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.