Saturday afternoon August 4^th 1923 at 2 o’clock the old Canton Corner Engine House will go into auctioneer’s hands for sale. Probably a half hour later the building and property will have been disposed of by the town, the only thing necessary to make the transaction finally settled to be the signing of the papers and the transfer of the deed.

Due to the desirable location of the building and the property, it is expected that many local people will be on hand to make a bid. Before the time of sale those present will probably have a chance to look through the structure in order to see just what they are bidding for.

O.D. Capen & Sons, auctioneers have the sale of the property in charge and their fine work at hundreds of similar auctions will mean that the property is sold at the highest figure possible.

There is about ¼ acre of land that will be sold. It is very suitable for a house lot and in a very desirable section of the town. Those who seek a place to build will find this location quite suitable and they will have a chance to purchase at the auction.

The old engine house is of very good construction and contains some fine lumber. Hence, there is every reason to expect that the property will be sold for a very good figure.

The buyer of the property will find many interesting historical associations connected with the place, for it is the site of the first town house of Canton. The town house preceded the present engine house. Before becoming the seat of the town government it was a Baptist meeting house for many years, being built about 1820. Several years passed and the Baptist parish in town built a new meeting house the present church in South Canton. Around 1837 the town made the old house its official seat of government and from then on until 1870 the citizens annually threshed out their problems.

Following the erection of the present town house the building was sold and moved over to the farms district where it was dismantled and made into several barns or sheds. The present engine house was erected shortly after.

The Canton Corner Engine Company was reputed as one of the best in the town but their department became disbanded with the motorizing of the fire department. The building has been in disuse now for a number of years and the only reminder sometimes of its former purpose came when the youths of the Canton Corner sections climbed its tower the night before the Fourth and rang its bell.

The selling of the property is the second move on the part of the town to sell several parcels of town land that are in little use. Last year the old high school building and grounds were disposed of. It will be remembered that the voters decided to sell the poor farm this year also and so that place will probably be next to pass out of town’s control. But the sale will probably not be sold at public auction.