Canton Ohio

Canton is the largest city in Stark County as well as the county seat. Platted in 1805, it was the first town to be settled in Stark County.  By 1828, Canton was officially a village, and a short 26 years later, became a city. Canton is located 58 miles south of Cleveland, 23 miles south of Akron and 93 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. 

Today, some heavy industries continue to call Canton home, but the downtown area has followed a nationwide trend as a center for law, government, banking and finance as well as the arts.  The crown jewel of the downtown revitalization is the renovated 200 block of North Market Avenue and the Millennium Center office complex that houses the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

   Canton Ohio Housing

Ridgewood and Market Heights are premier residential areas.  Most homes are two-story in colonial or Tudor style.  Ridgewood, on the near north side of Canton, is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The campus of Malone University, a Christian liberal arts institution, is between Ridgewood and Market Heights. 

   Canton Ohio Recreation and Lifestyle

Canton is well-known for the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame is a five-building complex where the “greats” of the game are honored.  Every summer, the Hall of Fame Festival draws thousands for induction ceremonies, football game, the balloon classic and food festival, “Ribs Burn-off”, Drum Corps International competition, and many other events.

Walk north on Market Avenue to the Cultural Center for the Arts.   The Cultural Center was given to the community by The Timken Company as a home for the Museum of Art, the Civic Opera, the Players Guild, the Symphony and the Ballet.  Adjacent to the Cultural Center complex is the 3,566-seat Canton Memorial Civic Center.  Nearby is the restored Palace Theatre which is often the site of live performances as well as films. 

Stroll south on Market Avenue to the National First Ladies’ Historic Site, a unique national archive with a wealth of information on our Nation’s First Ladies.  The Historic Site is located in the magnificently restored home of First Lady Ida McKinley.  To the west, on Tuscarawas Street, is the McKinley Monument, a pink granite memorial to Canton’s favorite son and the martyred 25^th President, William McKinley.  Adjacent to the Monument is the McKinley Museum of History, Science and Industry and the Hoover Price Planetarium. 

The Canton City Park System is superior.  There are 59 city parks.  Monument Park, next to the McKinley Memorial, and Stadium Park are the most popular.  Stadium Park is home to the Canton Garden Center with its John F. Kennedy Memorial Fountain and a 1-1/2-mile walking trail with exercise stations.   

   Canton Ohio Education, Health Care, and Transportation

Fine public schools as well as parochial and Christian schools, two major hospitals and convenient SARTA bus service make Canton a fine place to call home. 

   Canton Ohio Weather