Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Piedmont region of Georgia is a town named Canton. Incorporated in 1833 it was originally named Etowah before being renamed in 1834 to Canton. The area was originally apart of the Cherokee Nation. Following the discovery of gold in 1828, the land was claimed by Georgia and lead to the forced removal of the Cherokee people in the 1830’s.
Where Life Happens.
By 1900, Canton had grown modestly from around 400 residents to around 1,000! The town began to really expand after the establishment of the Canton Cotton Mills in 1899. Early income for the town of Canton was heavily based on cotton farming. After the opening of the Canton Cotton Mills more jobs came readily available and Canton became known for producing high quality Cotton textiles, including the “Canton flannel” a fabric that gained national attention.
A city inspired by nature, driven by community.
By the 1950’s Canton’s population had grown to just about 3,000 residents. Canton Cotton Mills still dominated the economy, providing many jobs. Agriculture like poultry and dairy farming, grew significantly. Local businesses were family owned, you’d find diners, barber shops, and hardware stores lining the main street. In 1956 we saw the doors of Cherokee high school open for the first time.
Today, Canton is home to almost 35,000 people! Major housing developments like Bridgemill and Laurel Canyon have appealed to many people wanting to start a family. Canton Cotton Mills no longer exist with the major industries now being healthcare, education, construction and more. Canton has gone from a small southern town with 3,000 residents to a booming 30,000+ resident suburban town and continues to grow day by day.
