Dover

Dover

Commonly known as the Town of Friendship, Dover was settled in 1635 and then incorporated in 1836.  In Dover’s earlier years, farming was the town’s  primary industry, though soon other businesses staked a claim with the development of a local grist mill, a nail factory, an iron rolling business, and lumbering.  While Dover evolved over time, its identity was also shaped by a number of its notable residents such as U.S. Senator Leverett Saltonstall, Patriots kicker John Smith, UFC fighter Kenny Florian, and artist, philanthropist, and donator of Noanet Woodlands, Amelia Peabody. Dover is located fifteen miles from Boston and lies within Norfolk County. Surrounding the town are the residential communities of Wellesley, Needham, Dedham, Westwood, Sherborn, Walpole, and Medfield.

Dover is home to a variety of historic sites and natural landmarks. Historical properties include the Caryl House, which is operated by the Historical Society, and the 1876 Elm Bank Horticulture Center, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Elm Bank in 1987. Furthermore, the Sawin building, a Dover treasure, houses an abundance of town history in its collection of books, photos and other historical relics. Dover residents also enjoy the town’s proximity to nearby outdoor areas such as Caryl Park, Noanet Woodlands, Channing Park, Mass Audubon’s Broadmooor Wildlife Sanctuary, Rocky Narrows Reservation, Scott Conservation Land, Ridge Hill Reservation, Rice Conservation Land, and Ponzi Cons Land.  In terms of education, Dover has one private school, the Charles River School, and a few public schools that it shares with the nearby town of Sherborn. These schools include Chickering Elementary School, Pine Hill Elementary School, Dover- Sherborn Middle and High School. Dover can be accessed by routes 16, 135, 27, and by I- 90.