Canton Township
WELCOME TO CANTON
HISTORY OF CANTON
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 brought settlers from New England.
Settlers were met by heavy forests and many animals, including; bear, wolf, lynx, and fox.
Early settlers engaged in self sustaining farming.
Farm produced food and products provided the family with sustaining food and extra goods
could be sold or bartered for goods, services or cash.
Cherry Hill Village was established at approximately the same time as Sheldon Corners. It was home to Canton’s first church, the United Methodist Church. Cherry Hill was first known as “The Ridge”. Following the construction of the Cherry Hill House (Ridge and Cherry Hill) the area became known as Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill remained very much like it was since the early 1800’s until it was reestablished as the new Cherry Hill, including; hundreds of new homes, apartments, condos and commercial buildings. Cherry Hill is also home to the Village Theater at Cherry Hill Village. Both the church and school are Michigan State historic sites.
On March 7, 1834 Canton became a Michigan township. Canton, like Nankin and Peking townships were named after cities in China. Washington D.C. had decreed that names for new townships could not use an existing name. As a result of the nation’s fascination with China a number of townships adopted Chinese provinces and city names. Canton is the only remaining community with its original Chinese name.
Canton’s first government office (township hall) was constructed in 1874 at the corner of Canton Center and Cherry Hill. more...
Cherry Hill Village was established at approximately the same time as Sheldon Corners. It was home to Canton’s first church, the United Methodist Church. Cherry Hill was first known as “The Ridge”. Following the construction of the Cherry Hill House (Ridge and Cherry Hill) the area became known as Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill remained very much like it was since the early 1800’s until it was reestablished as the new Cherry Hill, including; hundreds of new homes, apartments, condos and commercial buildings. Cherry Hill is also home to the Village Theater at Cherry Hill Village. Both the church and school are Michigan State historic sites.
On March 7, 1834 Canton became a Michigan township. Canton, like Nankin and Peking townships were named after cities in China. Washington D.C. had decreed that names for new townships could not use an existing name. As a result of the nation’s fascination with China a number of townships adopted Chinese provinces and city names. Canton is the only remaining community with its original Chinese name.
Canton’s first government office (township hall) was constructed in 1874 at the corner of Canton Center and Cherry Hill. more...
Each year, the Charter Township of Canton hosts Relay for Life, a 24-hour walk-a-thon event at Heritage Park. The event benefits the American Canton Society, which raises money for cancer research. The Chamber of Commerce hosts a team, "Fishing for a Cure", and recruits the help of local businesses and families to help us raise money for our team.