Hanover
Massachusetts
Town Of Hanover
"William Barstow was the first white man to settle within the present bounds of Hanover" according the historian John Barry. Barstow was here are early as 1649 and built a rough shelter near the North River close to the present Four Corners. Barstow constructed the first bridge to span the North River and kept this bridge "in repair sufficient for the transportation of passengers, horses and cattle" until he died in 1668. The historian Jedediah Dwelley reports that the so-called Barstow Bridge "was the first to span an important stream in the Colony." The present bridge on Washington St. is the fourth located on this early site (Southwest Plaque & Northeast Plaque images).
In William Barstow's time this area was part of Scituate, but as mills were built, villages were settled, the town of Hanover was incorporated in 1727. In 1728 the first meeting house (church) was constructed, and a minister and school master were procured. Later settlements were located near Luddam's Ford and the dam at the Indian Head River, (South Hanover), by the Drinkwater River (West Hanover), near the Third Herring Brook (Assinippi), along Long Water Brook (North Hanover), and in Center Hanover. Soon each village had its own district school, general store and later post office.
Shipyards were early located on the banks of the North River and became well known for the many ships launched in the Four Corners area. Near the smaller streams early mills ground corn, sawed lumber, forged iron, and later used the water power for tack factories, At the end of the 1800's the Clapp Rubber Mill and shoe factories employed many of the former farmers. In the first part of the 20th century, the National Fireworks was the largest employer in West Hanover.
Hanover sent its men to the Revolution in 1776, Col. John Bailey, who served with Washington, being the most famous. Men volunteered for the later Civil War and the First and Second World Wars, and memorials have been erected honoring its veterans.
The early settlers built their sturdy houses and barns to shelter their families and live stock, and many old capes and colonial homes can be found on the old main roads. Open space is valued and help preserve the small town image that Hanover projects.
Most of the manufacturing and farming are part of the past, and Hanover has grown into a fine residential town, which is proud of its schools, library, churches and its involved citizens who serve on committees to maintain Hanover as a fine town to live in.
Recent News
Town Of Hanover News - Hanover Visiting Nurse to Join Hanover Fire Department
Hanover Visiting Nurse to Join Hanover Fire Department The Town of Hanover is pleased to announce that the Hanover Visiting Nurse will be joining the Hanover Fire Department as part of a departmental reorganization unanimously approved by the…
Read More »Town Of Hanover Summer 2023 Student Internship Opportunity March 1, 2023
Applications are now being accepted for the Town of Hanover Summer Internship Program. Students who have participated in the past have enjoyed their time and even learned a few useful things along the way. This is a really good opportunity for…
Read More »Town Of Hanover News - Controlled Detonation Notification for March 3, 2023
Controlled Detonation Notification for March 3, 2023 March 3, 2023, Notification A controlled detonation is scheduled at the former National Fireworks Site in Hanover, Massachusetts for Friday, March 3, 2023, between the hours of 2:00 PM and…
Read More »Town Of Hanover News - Controlled Detonation Notification for February 17, 2023
Controlled Detonation Notification for February 17, 2023 February 17, 2023, Notification A controlled detonation is scheduled at the former National Fireworks Site in Hanover, Massachusetts for Friday, February 17, 2023, between the hours of…
Read More »Town Of Hanover Summer 2023 Student Internship Opportunity - February 1, 2023
It’s not too early to yearn for summer! The Town of Hanover's Summer Internship Program is a great opportunity for Hanover high school and college students to have a fulfilling summer while also learning about Hanover municipal government.…
Read More »Town Of Hanover : Fiscal Year 2023 Real Estate And Personal Property Abatements January 31, 2023
The deadline to file your real estate and personal property abatement is February 1, 2023. Before you file, please be aware you will need to wait until you receive your 3rd quarter tax bill (January time frame) before you consider filing for an…
Read More »Fiscal Year 2023 Third Quarter Tax Bills Due February 1, 2023
Fiscal Year 2023 third quarter real estate tax bills are due on February 1, 2023. There are several payment options available for residents to pay their taxes. Online Payments Payments may be made online by clicking on the following Pay Your…
Read More »Town Of Hanover : Nomination Papers Are Now Available January 25, 2023
Election Day is set for May 13, 2023, and signed nomination papers are due March 24, 2023. At this point in the year, there are a total of nine anticipated open seats. On the ballot this spring will be elections for two members of the Select Board…
Read More »Town Of Hanover Assessors' Persons Subject To Taxation Notice 2023
In accordance with provisions of General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 29 to all persons subject to taxation in the Town of Hanover on or before March 1, 2023. All individuals, partnerships, associations or trusts, and corporations, residents of or…
Read More »Town Of Hanover : Update Your Town of Hanover Census January 23, 2023
The annual town census has been mailed to all Hanover households. Again this year, if you do not have any changes to your town census, you may submit your response online. All residents should review the information on the form, make any changes if…
Read More »Town Of Hanover : Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire - January 20, 2023
On January 19, 2023, at approximately 8:29 pm, the Hanover Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 40 Maplewood Drive. A full first alarm assignment was dispatched consisting of Engine 7, Engine 4, Engine 3, Tower 1, Ambulance…
Read More »Town Of Hanover News - Spirit of Hanover 16th Community Service Award Nominations
Spirit of Hanover 16th Community Service Award Nominations Call for Nominations The Spirit of Hanover Community Service Award Committee is accepting nominations for the recipient of the 16th Spirit of Hanover Community Service Award. This…
Read More »Town Of Hanover News - Hanover Fire Department Receives MEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant January 12, 2023
Hanover Fire Department Receives MEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant 1/12/23 The Hanover Fire Department is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $4,600 through the MEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant. These funds will be used…
Read More »Town Of Hanover Name The Plow Contest Results Are In January 4, 2023
Hanover Town Manager, Joe Colangelo, and the Hanover DPW have made their selections for the "Name the Plow Contest"! Over 270 fun, exciting, creative, and awesome names were submitted by Hanover elementary school students and their families. So,…
Read More »Town of Hanover : Awarded Community Compact IT Grant - December 30, 2022
The Town of Hanover is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Massachusetts Community Compact IT Grant. The grant, in the amount of $196,495 will enable the installation of a multi-site linked digital UHF radio system that will connect all…
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