The South Shore is filled with classic New England charm, wonderful schools, breathtaking coastlines and easy access to Boston. Learn more about the towns we are proud to call "home!" ABINGTON BRAINTREE COHASSET DUXBURY HALIFAX HANOVER HANSON HINGHAM HULL KINGSTON MARSHFIELD MILTON NORWELL PEMBROKE PLYMOUTH QUINCY ROCKLAND SCITUATE WEYMOUTH WHITMAN ABINGTON Established: 1712 Population: 14,605 Size: 9.97 square miles Schools: www.abington.k12.ma.us Highlights: Annual celebrations include a St. Patrick's Day parade followed by an after-party complete with an Irish step dancing performance. Did You Know? Abington was once famous as part of the shoe industry. As recently as 1986, Abington had a working dairy farm. Learn More: www.abingtonmass.com [ Back to Top ] BRAINTREE Established: 1640 Population: 33,800 Size: 14.52 square miles Schools: www. BraintreeSchools.org Highlights: One of New England's largest shopping centers, South Shore Plaza , is located in Braintree. Braintree is situated at the crossroads of Route I-93 (128) and Route 3 for easy access to the Greater Boston area and Cape Cod. Braintree offers excellent public transportation to Boston and Logan International Airport. Did You Know? John Hancock and General Sylvanus Thayer, the founder of West Point , were born in "Old Braintree." Learn More: www.townofbraintreegov.org [ Back to Top ] COHASSET Established: 1770 Population: 7,200 Size: 9.86 square miles Schools: www.cohassetk12.org Highlights: Cohasset is home to the renowned South Shore Music Circus. A spacious town common offers a small pond and specialty shops. Cohasset is home to three historical museums, two beaches and the recreational facilities of Whitney Woods Reservation and the Wompatuck State Park. Did You Know? St. Stephen's Church, located in the town common, has a 56 bell carillon that has offered Sunday concerts since 1824. Learn More: www.state.ma.us/cc/cohasset.html [ Back to Top ] DUXBURY Established: 1637 Population: 14,248 Size: 24.32 square miles Schools: www.duxbury.k12.ma.us Highlights: Points of interest include the Art Complex Museum , the Rural and Historical Society and the John Alden House. Did You Know? Duxbury was a center for shipbuilding until the mid-nineteenth century. Many historic and beautiful homes from pilgrim times and the shipbuilding era still exist in Duxbury. Learn More: www.town.duxbury.ma.us [ Back to Top ] HALIFAX Established: 1734 Population: 7,500 Size: 16.15 square miles Schools: www.sl-regional.k12.ma.us Highlights: Located 27 miles southeast of Boston. Major roads that pass through Halifax include Rtes. 36, 58 and 106. Did You Know? Woods of white and pitch pine, cedar and oak made Halifax a major lumber center in the 1700's. In 1795, Halifax was the site of an early effort to construct a canal between Buzzards Bay and Massachusetts Bay by connecting the Taunton and North Rivers through the ponds of Halifax and Pembroke. Learn More: www.town.halifax.ma.us [ Back to Top ] HANOVER Established: 1727 Population: 13,164 Size: 15.46 square miles Schools: www.hanoverschools.org Highlights: The Four Corners Section of Hanover still retains its authentic period village character. There are nearly 1,000 business and professional establishments in Hanover, ranging in size from home business and "mom-and-pop" stores to those employing one hundred or more. Did You Know? Hanover's anchor forges made the anchors for the United States Navy, and are said to have supplied the anchor for the U.S. Constitution. Learn More: www.hanover-ma.gov [ Back to Top ] HANSON Established: 1820 Population: 9,495 Size: 15.17 square miles Schools: www.whrsd.k12.ma.us Highlights: Located 22 miles southeast of Boston in Plymouth County , Hanson offers quiet, peaceful suburban living. Major roads that pass through Hanson include Rtes. 14, 27 and 58. Did You Know? A huge cranberry packinghouse, built in Hanson in 1912, eventually became the national Ocean Spray Corporation. Hanson was named for Alexander Conte Hanson, a Maryland newspaper publisher who upheld the rights of a free press when he defended his right to condemn the War of 1812. Learn More: www.mass.info/hanson.ma [ Back to Top ] HINGHAM Established: 1635 Population: 19,882 Size: 22.46 square miles Schools: www.hinghamschools.com Highlights: 21 miles of shoreline and construction of a new harbor park further expands the public use of Hingham Harbor. Outdoor recreational areas include parks, woods, forests and ponds, featuring the 251-acre World's End Reserve. Did You Know? Derby Academy in Hingham , founded in 1784, is the oldest co-educational school in the country. Hingham 's First Parish Old Ship Church is the oldest church structure in the country in continuous use as a place of worship. Learn More: www.hingham-ma.com [ Back to Top ] HULL Established: 1644 Population: 11,050 Size: 2.43 square miles Schools: www.town.hull.ma.us/Public_Documents/ HullMA_WebDocs/schools Highlights: For generations, millions of visitors have enjoyed Hull 's beaches, proximity to Boston and thriving hospitality industry that includes noted restaurants and hotels. Pemberton Pier in Hull offers daily water taxi service to the Boston Harbor Islands. Did You Know? The Plymouth Colony used Hull 's long, narrow peninsula, which juts into Boston Harbor , to set up a trading post with local Indians in 1621. Learn More: www.town.hull.ma.us/Public_Documents/index [ Back to Top ] KINGSTON Established: 1726 Population: 11,780 Size: 18.55 square miles Schools: www.sl-regional.k12.ma.us Highlights: Kingston 's active Historical Society maintains the Major John Bradford House for public viewing and for summer brunches on its lawn. Much of Kingston 's commerce centers around the retail industry, including the Independence Mall, featuring 100 stores, located off Rte 3. Did You Know? A small number of professional fishermen and cranberry growers practice their trade in Kingston. Learn More: www.kingstonmass.org [ Back to Top ] MARSHFIELD Established: 1640 Population: 24,324 ( grows to about 40,000 in the summer months ) Size: 28.35 square miles Schools: www.marshfield.net/School Highlights: The annual Marshfield Fair has been a much-loved summertime celebration for more than 135 years, attracting visitors from all over the state. Did You Know? Marshfield is the birthplace and home of Daniel Webster. It is also home of famous rock star, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Learn More: www.marshfield.net [ Back to Top ] MILTON Established: 1662 Population: 26,062 Size: 13.1 square miles Schools: www.miltonps.org Highlights: Blue Hills Reservation in Milton provides an oasis for a variety of yearlong outdoor activities, just minutes from downtown Boston. East Milton Square is bustling with family-owned businesses, including a variety of quaint restaurants and cafes. Did You Know? Milton housed the headquarters and track bed for the nation's first railroad. Three Massachusetts governors have called Milton "home." Learn More: www.townofmilton.org [ Back to Top ] NORWELL Established: 1888 Population: 10,338 Size: 21.17 sq. miles Schools: www.norwellschools.org/index.htm Highlights: Norwell offers modern schools, shopping, churches, libraries, health facilities, a wildlife preserve and other support facilities as well as two large industrial parks. The town is located on the banks of the North River. Other recreational areas for outdoor activities include: Valley Swamp Conservation Land ; Stetson Meadows Conservation Land ; Albert F. Norris Reservation; Black Pond Natural Preserve; North River Salt Marsh; Cuffey Hill Reservation; Miller Woods and the Donovan Property. Did You Know? Shipbuilding was a major industry in the 1700's through the early 1800's. Some of the finest frigates, schooners and merchant vessels to ever sail were produced in Norwell. Learn More: norwellma.virtualtownhall.net [ Back to Top ] PEMBROKE Established: 1712 Population: 14,544 Size: 23.48 sq. miles Schools: www.pembroke.mec.edu Highlights: With five ponds, Pembroke offers swimming, boating and fishing in the summer and ice fishing and skating in the winter. Did You Know? An example of an old herring run can be found in Pembroke, on Barker St. (Mass. Route 14). Early settlers depended on the run of the herring for an excellent food source, as the settler's winter supply of food grew low. Fish are running usually from mid-April to mid-May. Learn More: www.townofpembrokemass.org [ Back to Top ] PLYMOUTH Established: 1620 Population: 51,701 Size: 97.57 square miles Schools: www.plymouthschools.com Highlights: The first settlers from England arrived on the shores of this seaside town, also known as " America 's Hometown," in the 1600's. Historic sites, including the Mayflower, Plimoth Plantation and Plymouth Rock, are all located here. Plymouth is also home to many of the region's most scenic beaches, museums, shopping centers and fine restaurants. Did You Know? The site of the original 1620 settlement is now part of the town's busy Downtown/Harbor district. A healthy industrial and commercial base has grown in Plymouth over the past 20 years. The town's population has increased due to its desirable location, only five miles north of the Cape Cod Canal. Learn More: www.plymouth-ma.gov [ Back to Top ] QUINCY Established: 1792 ( incorporated as a city in 1888 ) Population: 88,000 Size: 16.77 square miles Schools: www.quincypublicschools.com Highlights: Located on the MBTA's Red Line, offering no-hassle, direct access to Boston and beyond (Quincy Adams, Quincy Center , Wollaston and North Quincy stations). A 27-mile coastline crowned by luxurious Marina Bay , featuring restaurants with al fresco dining, gift shops and boutiques. Quincy Medical Center , provides superior patient care synonymous with Boston-area hospitals. Located on Rte 3, Quincy is the "gateway" to all points on the South Shore and Cape Cod. Did You Know? Known as the "City of Presidents ," Quincy 's rich history dates back to the 17 th century and includes its most celebrated residents: John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. King's Chapel and the Bunker Hill Monument , two of modern-day Boston 's best-known landmarks, were constructed of Quincy granite. Learn More: www.ci.quincy.ma.us [ Back to Top ] ROCKLAND Incorporated: 1874 Population: 17,670 Size: 10.02 square miles Schools: www.rockland.mec.edu Highlights: Located 20 miles southeast of Boston , Rockland still retains a quiet, small-town quality. Did You Know? Rockland derived its name geologically from its rocky nature. A "large rock" is mentioned in the description of the Town Seal. Rockland was a major center for shoe production in the 1800's. The town is said to have shod half the Union Army! Learn More: www.rockland-ma.gov [ Back to Top ] SCITUATE Established: 1636 Population: 17,863 Size: 16.9 square miles Schools: www.scituate.k12.ma.us Highlights: Historic points of interest include: Scituate Lighthouse, The Old Oaken Bucket Homestead and Well, The Lawson Tower, Stockbridge Mill and the Cudworth House as well as the Little Red School House which is the home of the Scituate Historical Society. The strength of the Scituate public school system is apparent, through the great percentage of its students (85%) who move on to higher education. Did You Know? Ocean-related recreational activities in Scituate make it a very desirable place in which to live and to raise families. Located equidistant between Plymouth and Boston , Scituate offers historic beauty in an area convenient to the city. Learn More: www.town.scituate.ma.us [ Back to Top ] WEYMOUTH Established: 1622 Population: 53,988 Size: 16.7 square miles Schools: www.weymouth.ma.us/schools/ Highlights: The town offers an extensive program in water safety and swimming instruction at Wessagusset Beach , and at Whitman's Pond; and boaters enjoy the waters of Quincy and Hingham Bays. Did You Know? Weymouth is the second oldest town in the Commonwealth, behind Plymouth , and the site of the first town meeting. Learn More: www.weymouth.ma.us [ Back to Top ] WHITMAN Established: 1875 Population: 13,882 Size: 6.7 square miles Schools: www.whrsd.k12.ma.us Highlights: Whitman hosts an annual Fourth of July Field Day at the park, with a roadrace, carriage or bike decorating, pie eating contests and other events. Did You Know? Whitman was the home of the famous Toll House and the Toll House Cookie. Although the Toll House burned down, the historic Toll House sign still stands. Learn More: www.mass.info/whitman.ma [ Back to Top ] Massachusetts Association of REALTORS National Association of REALTORS QUINCY, MA - 49 Beale St. 02170 - 617-472-4330 - cannex@aol.com