Canton, city in Fulton County, Illinois, United States
Canton is the largest city in Fulton County, Illinois, founded in 1825 and covering just over 8 square miles. The city has parks for outdoor activities, a downtown with historic brick buildings, a library, and a modern hospital that serve the community.
The city was founded in 1825 by Isaac Swan and was historically shaped by coal mining, which left underground tunnels and altered the land. In the early 2000s, the opening of an ethanol plant in 2008 and a Cook Medical factory brought economic growth, though a gas explosion in 2016 damaged several historic buildings.
The name Canton comes from founder Isaac Swan, who believed his town lay directly opposite Canton in China. The downtown area is shaped by brick buildings from the 1800s that now house shops and apartments, preserving the city's historical character.
The best way to explore is on foot through the downtown and parks, which are accessible to everyone and available year-round. The city sits near Illinois Routes 9 and 78, which help with orientation and connect to nearby towns.
The band The Doors performed at the high school in 1967, though the audience was surprised by their unusual style and remained mostly silent. This remains a rare cultural moment in the city's music history that still lingers in local memory.
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