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

The Canton Viaduct

— Paul Revere Heritage Site —

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

1. The Canton Viaduct Marker

Inscription.
The Canton Viaduct As a board member of the newly founded Boston Providence Railroad, Joseph Warren Revere persuaded the company to run their new line through the center of Canton. The main issue with this was the challenge of crossing Neponset River. They brought in the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build a structure that would allow trains to cross the lowlands. With the help of the Freemasons, they built the Canton Viaduct in only 15 months, completing work on July 28th 1835. At 615 feet long and 70 feet tall, it was the largest viaduct in the world, and with its blind arcades and cavity wall that form a hollow bridge, is the only surviving structure of its kind. Originally the viaduct could only accommodate one train at a time and only had a single, one-late tunnel for the road to pass under it. A steel structure was added to the top of the viaduct, allowing two tracks to cross in 1860. A second roadway tunnel was added in 1953.

Look for the viaduct (in the distance). How has transportation in Canton changed, or remained the same, since this photo was taken?

(Illustration captions)
1. Image courtesy of Canton

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Historical Society

Erected 2025 by Paul Revere Heritage Site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1835.

Location. 42° 9.345′ N, 71° 9.026′ W. Marker is in Canton, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. It can be reached from Rolling Mill Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Rolling Mill Way, 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: Paul Revere Heritage Site (a few steps from this marker); Birthplace of U.S. Copper Industry (a few steps from this marker); A Long, Rich History (within shouting distance of this marker); Made in Canton

The Canton Viaduct Marker (wide) image. Click for full size.

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

2. The Canton Viaduct Marker (wide)

The recently renovated historic Revere Rolling Mill building at 2 Rolling Mill Way currently houses a Paul Revere Museum in Rolling Mill Hall and The Northern Spy restaurant.

(within shouting distance of this marker); From Brown Field to Green Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Immigrants, The Key to the Site’s Success (within shouting distance of this marker); A View Across Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Transformation of the Land (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The markers at the Canton Viaduct

MBTA Traversing The Canton Viaduct image. Click for full size.

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

3. MBTA Traversing The Canton Viaduct

From a high point near the dam at the Revere Heritage site, in the distance behind trees and between two buildings, a silver and purple double-decker commuter rail car can be seen traversing the Canton Viaduct.

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

4. The Canton Viaduct Marker

The east side of the Canton Viaduct viewed from a viewing spot on the north side of 15 Revolution Way. The west side of the Canton Viaduct is the dry side. There is a separate historical marker there and parking is available at 341-343 Neponset Avenue.

The Canton Viaduct West Side image. Click for full size.

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

5. The Canton Viaduct West Side

The west side of the Canton Viaduct (pictured on this marker). There is a separate historical marker there and parking is available at 341-343 Neponset Avenue.

The Canton Viaduct Marker Auto Passage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 15, 2026

6. The Canton Viaduct Marker Auto Passage

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 15, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.