Yes.
History
The Canton we know today is reective of
the Canton of yesteryear. Our values have
remained, with our focus continuing to be our
families, schools, and businesses - our com-
munity. We look to where we came from to
help shape the Canton we know today, and to
guide our growing community into the future.
Civilization arrived in Canton by the 1830’s.
Land had been cleared, homes had been built,
farms begun, and schools and churches orga-
nized. In 1834 a six square mile area bounded
by Joy Road on the north, Van Born Road to
the south, Hannan to the east and Napier to the
west became known as Canton. Canton was
named after a city in China due in part to the
enhanced trade relations the United States had
with China at that time.
Canton was and continues to be governed by
a Board of Trustees. In 1874 the rst township
hall was built on the corner of Canton Center
and Cherry Hill Roads. It seated 400 people
and was built at a cost of $700.
We have an Ikea.
Welcome
Canton is located in the heart of southeastern
Michigan. Situated conveniently between De-
troit and Ann Arbor, Canton is a community
that has it all.
Welcome to It is just minutes from Metro Airport, and
within the 36 square miles that make up
Beautiful Canton, you will nd a responsive local
government, a wide variety of housing op-
tions, restaurants for every taste, outstanding
Canton, Michigan shopping opportunities, acres of parks, and a
world-class library.
Add to that a state-of-the-art community
center, a premiere performance venue and a
nationally-accredited Leisure Services and
Police Department, and you come up with a
community that enjoys an outstanding quality
of life.

History (cont’d)
Beginning with the rst settlers in Canton,
self-sustaining farming was the main source
of income. The farm provided the necessary
food and products for a family’s livelihood,
while the extra could be sold or bartered for
goods, services or cash. The typical farm
family owned six or eight milk cows, hogs for
marketing, hens for eggs and meat and a few
sheep. Ice cut from nearby rivers in the winter
kept food and milk preserved in the summer.
The abundant maple trees provided maple
sugar each spring.
From 1925 to 1970 Canton was touted as the
”Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan.” Farmers
within a days horse and wagon drive to Detroit Historical Society hosts many of Canton’s
took advantage of the opportunity and raised
the protable sweet corn to be sold at the
Farmers Market. Today, thousands of bags of
sweet corn still travel to Detroit and points in School.
between raised by the descendants of the early
farmers, the Hauks, the Schultzs the Palmers
and the Colmans.
Dairy farming was also important in Canton
due to its central location. At rst farmers
took their milk to local creameries located in
the villages of Sheldon Corners and Cherry
Hill. From these creameries, Canton’s milk
was distributed to larger nearby communities,
including Detroit. Today one large dairy herd
still exists in Canton, run by descendants of
another early family, the Gills.
Arts
Canton has a rich history that we are commit-
ted to preserving and are privileged to honor.
In Canton, we look to where we came from
to help shape the community we know today,
and to guide our growing community into the
future.
Leisure Services is proud to partner with the
Canton Historical Society, as we continue to
incorporate their commitment to preserve our
heritage in to our programs and services. The
favorite locations, including their Museum
located on Canton Center Road, as well as the
Bartlett-Travis House and The Cherry Hill
The museum is open March through Decem-
ber on Tuesdays 1pm - 4pm,
Thursdays 6-8pm, and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
For more information or to join the Canton
Historical Society please visit their website
at www.cantonhistoricalsociety.org or call
734/397-0088.
Leisure
Leisure Services programs are led by the Rec-
reation Division. Programming is developed
for people of all ages, including preschool,
youth and teens, adults and seniors.
Specic areas include Aquatics, Athletics, the
Canton Sports Center, the B.L.O.C.K. Teen
Center, the Senior Adults Program, Youth
Development (Teens), Health/ Wellness and
Special Events.
The activities and programs provide opportu-
nities for families and friends to build rela-
tionships, create a sense of belonging in the
community, and positively impact the local
economy.
The Leisure Services Department comprises
three divisions- Parks, Recreation/ Facilities
and Golf plus Central Services which serves
as the clearinghouse for communications, ac-
counts payable and personnel issues.
The respective divisions are responsible for
the administrative functions required to lead
the diverse and rapidly growing operation that
allows for coordination of resources which
ensures effective and efcient delivery of
services.
Canton Township prides itself on providing an
excellent system of parks which offer a vari-
ety of activities for residents, plus a place for
families to gather for picnics and other out-
door activities. Park pavilions and the gazebo
in Heritage Park are available for rental by
community groups and individuals.
And, that’s not all ...
Special events, climbing wall, inatable’s,
dance, preschool programs, enrichment
classes, after school activities, teen programs,
programs for people with special needs .. and
much, much more .. come and DISCOVER
Canton.