Town History

The Village of Canton was incorporated on May 14, 1845. Establishment is credited to Stillman Foote who is considered to be the town’s first permanent settler and the driving force behind Canton’s creation in 1801.

From the beginning, Canton was an important location for farming, and in the 1900s the natural water power of the Grasse River made Canton a prosperous mill town. Later, lumbering and dairy farming became the leading industry.

The founders of Canton established a legacy of vision and pioneering spirit, which continues today through current residents.

Silas Wright, J. Henry Rushton and Frederic Remington are among Canton's most notable native sons.

Statesman Silas Wright served as St. Lawrence County Surrogate Court Judge, New York State Senator, as well as serving in both houses of the U.S. Congress, before becoming New York’s Governor in the 1840’s.
J. Henry Rushton, who became well known for his development of cedar canoes, established his first factory in the heart of the Village of Canton. His works, including the Indian Girl model, were featured at the 1893 Chicago Columbia World’s Fair.
Renowned Western artist and sculptor Frederic Remington was born in Canton in 1861. He immortalized the western frontier through oil paintings and bronze figures that are now on permanent display at the Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg.

Canton ’s Main Street, with its 19 th-century brick buildings and picturesque Village Green is on the National Register of Historic Places. During evening hours, charming Victorian-style street lamps illuminate Main Street. Also located in downtown is the historic “Village Green” park, complete with a war memorial and a restored fountain dating back to the late 1800s.

Other historic sites located in the Town of Canton include:

Harristown Gristmill in Morley (1849) [photograph by Economic Development Office]
Richardson Hall in the Village of Canton (1855), located on the St. Lawrence University Campus
Herring-Cole Hall in the Village of Canton (1869), located on the St. Lawrence University Campus
Trinity Episcopal Church in Morley (1870) [photograph by Economic Development Office]
United States Post Office in the Village of Canton (1936) [photograph by Economic Development Office]

Additional information about the history of the Town and the Village can be obtained in the Historian’s office, located on the second floor of the municipal building. Or you may call the Historian, Linda Casserly at (315) 386-1633. Her email address is mamacass@northnet.org.