Welcome to Hanson
Where cranberry bogs meet pine forests, and where each trail still carries pieces of its past. Hanson’s story runs through its bog roads, cedar swamps, and quiet ponds.
Hanson History
1879 Map of Hanson
Historic Roots
Hanson sits about 30 minutes south of Boston. For thousands of years before European settlement, native people moved through this region using the natural high grounds between cedar swamps. These early footpaths later influenced many of the routes still visible in town today.
Historic Hanson Town Hall
Community Heart
By the late 1700s and early 1800s, Hanson grew into a small agricultural and milling community. Farmsteads, cart paths, and early parish roads connected the town's scattered villages. The historic Town Hall pictured above served as a local hub for events, meetings, and public life. Its presence reflects the shift from a rural farming village to a more structured town.
Historic Ocean Spray Processing Factory
Industry and Innovation
In the early 1900s, the cranberry industry transformed Hanson's landscape. The first Ocean Spray packing house was built here in 1912, supporting a network of farms, bogs, and processing sites. Many of the flat, gridded bog roads seen on hikes in Burrage Pond and Smitty's Bog trace their origins to this era.
Today much of this land has become protected open space: Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, Smitty's Bog, Alton J. Smith Reserve, and Indian Crossway. These areas preserve not only wildlife habitat but also the layers of history beneath your feet.
What Is a Conservation Area?
In Massachusetts, a conservation area is land that has been permanently protected so the public can enjoy nature while important habitats are preserved. These lands are usually owned or managed by a town’s Conservation Commission, a local land trust, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, or other environmental organizations.
The purpose is simple: protect open space, wildlife, water resources, and natural landscapes, while giving people a place to walk, observe wildlife, and connect with the outdoors. Conservation areas in Massachusetts often include wetlands, forests, rivers, ponds, bogs, and rare plant or animal habitats. Many also have trails, boardwalks, and interpretive signs that help visitors learn about the environment around them.
These properties are legally safeguarded under state conservation laws. Most are covered by Conservation Restrictions or Article 97 protections, which ensure the land stays natural and open to the public for generations. Because of these protections, activities like hunting, fishing, biking, or dog walking can vary from property to property depending on the rules set by the landowner or town.
For communities across Massachusetts, conservation areas help prevent overdevelopment, protect drinking water, support biodiversity, and provide peaceful outdoor spaces for residents. They’re a key part of how towns maintain their character and natural heritage.
Trail Etiquette
To keep Hanson’s trails safe and enjoyable, please keep these basics in mind:
- Respect nature and others.
- Pick up after your dog.
- Pack out everything you bring.
- Keep pets leashed.
- No motorized vehicles on trails.
These simple steps help preserve the peace and beauty of Hanson’s trails for everyone.
Fall along the Alton J. Smith Trail. A reminder to travel lightly and care for the space you enjoy.
Trail Hours
All trails open dusk till dawn year-round unless otherwise noted. Check individual trail pages or local notices for temporary closures or special events.
Community Contributions
This website and all of its content would not be possible without the generous contributions from the Hanson community and surrounding areas. We extend our special thanks to:
Organizations
- Old Colony Planning Council — For the stunning drone shots that capture Hanson's natural beauty from above
- Hanson Historical Society — For providing archival photographs and historical documentation that tell Hanson's story
Photo Contributors
- Dave Mansfield — Trail photography
- Laura Fitzgerald-Kemmett — Bird photography
- Susan Gaspar — Bird photography
- Lan Woodward — Trail photography
These contributions help bring Hanson's trails and heritage to life, enriching the experience for all who visit.