60

The percentage of the world’s shovels produced by Easton’s Ames Shovel Works in 1879. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 helped boost the company into such a national power that its shovels were used as “legal tender’’ on the frontier. The factory (above) is now apartments.

1910

The year the 20-room Ames Mansion was built in what is now Borderland State Park. Constructed for noted suffragist Blanche Ames and her husband, Oakes, the property is periodically open for tours and has a legendary sledding hill.

193

The consecutive years there was at least one person named Oliver Ames living in Easton (1815-2007). The first Oliver Ames reaped a fortune from his shovel business and served two stints as a Massachusetts state representative and one as a state senator.

2,400

The number of full-time undergraduates at Stonehill College, a Catholic liberal arts school

PRO

Youth sports

Easton’s lineup includes baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, and cheerleading. There’s also a town pool and the YMCA. Thanksgiving is celebrated with a football game against archrival Sharon, a tradition since 1970. The Recreation Department offers kayaking, ultimate Frisbee, and tee ball, among other activities.

CON

Entertainment options

If you want to catch a movie, head to the mall, or go bowling, you’ll have to head out of town. The Children’s Museum is great, but there are limited options for millennials.

Jon Mael is a freelance writer based in Sharon. He can be reached at jmael2014@gmail.com.