Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio is in the northeastern part of the state, not far from many of Ohio’s other urban areas (Akron is 24 miles north, while Cleveland is 60 miles north). With a population of 78,000 (and a surrounding metropolitan area of 407,180), Canton ranks as the eighth-largest city in the state. The city is the county seat of Stark County and lies on Nimishillen Creek. When you are moving to Canton, you will soon be able to take advantage of all that the city has to offer.
Economy:
Canton’s biggest employers are The Timken Company (steel and roller bearing manufacture), the Stark County Government, Mercy Medical Center, the Maytag Corporation, Diebold, Inc., Fishers Foods Marketing, Inc. and The Workshops, Inc. Traditionally, Canton’s economy revolved around steel production and industrial manufacturing and the reduction of such industries in the city has had a major impact. The LTV (originally Republic) Steel company went bankrupt in 2000 and the Hoover Company followed a 2007 buyout by closing most Canton-based production. Agriculture is also a major employment sector in the Canton area, with an emphasis on dairy and poultry farming.
History:
Founded in 1805, Canton was incorporated as a village in 1822 and then as a city in 1838. While the location was chosen due to its proximity to the West and Middle Branches of the Nimishillen Creek, Canton grew in importance primarily due to the arrival of the railways, which met at the site. Canton’s name derives from the Chinese city (now known as Guangzhou), as the town’s original surveyor, Bezaleel Wells, was an admirer of John O’Donnell (a trader between Baltimore and China). Canton’s most famous resident, William McKinley arrived in Canton in the 1860s to practice law. The Stark County prosecuting attorney in 1869-1870, McKinley later ran for governor and then president from his home in Canton. The forerunner to the modern National Football League, the American Professional Football Association, was founded on September 17, 1920 at a car dealership in Canton. Today, Canton moving companies are bustling in new residents excited to make their mark in this historical area.
Tourism:
Canton’s many tourist attractions focus on culture, history and sports. Museums include the Ohio Military Museum, the Canton Museum of Art and the Canton Classic Car Museum (housed in a 1913 Ford dealership). The performing arts are represented by the Canton Symphony Orchestra and the Canton Ballet, both of which perform multiple times throughout the year. The city’s importance in the abolitionist movement is exemplified by the Haines House, once a stop on the famous Underground Railroad and now a museum. The legacy of assassinated President William McKinley is explored at the William McKinley Presidential Library and National Memorial, while the contributions made by first ladies and other notable American women are the focus of the National First Ladies Library and Research Center. The biggest tourist attraction in the city is the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. With 83,000-square-feet of galleries and exhibits, visitors can celebrate all of the country’s professional football organizations. The Akron-Canton Airport is in North Canton and offers daily flights to 14 cities. Bus transit in Canton is available through the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority.
Colleges/Universities:
• Ashland University-Stark
• Kent State University-Stark
• Malone College
• Mount Union College
• Stark State College of Technology
• Walsh University
Interesting Facts:
• Jim Thorpe, considered by many to be the greatest athlete of the 20th century, lived in Canton and played football with the Canton Bulldogs. Led by Thorpe, the team won the unofficial world championships in 1916, 1917 and 1919.
• Notable residents of Canton include child actress Peggy Ann Garner (who won a special Oscar for her performance in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), singer Macy Gray, Augustus Juilliard (whose legacy established the Juilliard School), baseball All-Star Thurman Munson and television host Jack Parr.
Helpful Links:
• City of Canton
• Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Canton Real Estate
• Canton Insurance
• Canton Moving Guide