Canton is a city in Lewis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,774 at the 2020 census. Canton is the home of Culver-Stockton College, a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It also had the oldest continuously operating ferry across the Mississippi River, which closed in April 2014. Four members of the United States House of Representatives have come from Canton, and are buried in the city's Forest Grove Cemetery. Canton is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

thumb|left|250px|Canton High School

The city of Canton, believed to be named in honor of Canton, Ohio, The building also doubled as Canton's first business, a tavern.

right|thumb|Lock & Dam No. 20, the former location of Tully.

Canton, with its somewhat higher ground but still close river proximity experienced rapid growth over the next nine years after Tully's demise and by 1860 had a population of over 2,000 people. The early ferries were paddlewheel craft with the power supplied by horses on treadmills. Local travelers and those heading westward in pursuit of a new life meant heavy use of the ferry, with early fares being 50 cents per wagon and 10 cents for travelers on foot.

right|thumb|200px|WPA mural in Canton, MO post office

right|thumb|200px|Henderson Hall looks out over Canton from atop "The Hill"

Another key event in Canton's history came about in 1853 with the founding of "Christian University", now known as Culver-Stockton College. Closed for a period of time during the Civil War, the college reopened in 1865 and has been a foundation of the community since. Henderson Hall, a.k.a. "Old Main", on the Culver-Stockton campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As a strategic river port, Canton was involved considerably in the Civil War. Loyalties were heavily mixed and both the Union and Confederate armies recruited heavily in the town and surrounding area. Federal troops occupied Canton in July, 1861 to quell recent unrest and quash recruiting for the Missouri State Guard and pro-Confederate guerrillas by Lewis county residents Martin E. Green, Joseph C. Porter and others. On August 2, 1862 Colonel Porter ordered a raid on Canton. One resident was killed and another, a Union sympathizer, kidnapped by the bushwhackers, who also stole large quantities of weapons, medicine and other supplies.

right|thumb|200px|Flooding at Canton in June, 2008. The river crested at its second-highest level ever at Canton, 27.73 feet.

Canton continued its role as gateway to northeast Missouri agricultural after the war, with several industries catering to those needs. Pork processing had begun in the 1840s, with thousands of hogs being slaughtered by the late 1870s. Iron plows, wagons, a patented hand corn planter, and buttons—using mussel shells from the nearby river—were some of the diverse items manufactured in Canton in the 19th century.

Periodic flooding of the downtown area happened again after World War II, but was largely ended by construction of a bigger and stronger levee in the 1960s. Tornadoes have also been unkind to Canton. Several smaller ones have touched down in or very near the town in its history, with most doing little damage. However, a large tornado struck Canton on May 10, 2003 damaging an estimated 100 structures, 40 of them severely, but leaving only four persons injured. The Culver-Stockton College fieldhouse, which just hours earlier had contained a large crowd for spring commencement, was virtually destroyed while the dome on Henderson Hall was also ripped away. Henderson Hall is one of three locations in Canton listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the others being the Lock & Dam No 20 Historic District, and the Lincoln School building, a former school for African-American children in existence from 1880 to 1955. Mass resignations as a result of the investigations left Canton without a police force in August 2023. During this investigation, Canton mayor, Jarrod Phillips, also resigned from his position.

As of 2026, the Police Department is still unstable. On April 9, the only active police officer, Canton Police Chief Tycher Blakely, was placed on administrative leave. Since no officers are currently employed, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, the La Grange Police Department, and the Missouri Highway Patrol are patrolling the city for the time being.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Canton had a population of 2,774. The median age was 24.0 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.5 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 863 households in Canton, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.0% were married-couple households, 21.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,377 people, 829 households, and 493 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 954 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 5.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 829 households, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 26.5 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 28.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.4% were from 25 to 44; 19% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census Canton R-V School District operates one elementary school and Canton High School.

The town has a lending library, the Canton Public Library.

Transportation

Burlington Trailways provides intercity bus service to the city on a route between Cedar Rapids and St. Louis.

Notable people

  • James G. Blair, one-term congressman for Missouri's 8th congressional district
  • James S. Green, congressman, U.S. senator, and diplomat
  • Frederick Hibbard, noted sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
  • James Tilghman Lloyd, ten-term congressman, House Minority Whip
  • Frank C. Millspaugh, congressman, Missouri Commissioner of Finance
  • David Moore, Union Army brigadier general and Missouri state senator
  • Skip Williamson, underground artist

References

  • City of Canton official website
  • Historic maps of Canton in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri