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Metro Detroit Wayne County Charter township
Sweet corn fields turned one of Michigan's biggest townships, with a Chinese name
01 / Why it matters
Canton was carved out of the southern part of Plymouth Township on March 7, 1834, and named after Canton, China. For generations it was farm country: cows, hogs, chickens, and from 1925 to 1970 the nickname "Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan," since local farms supplied the region's big grocery stores.
The big turn came in the 1970s. I-275 put the whole metro area within an hour's drive, and according to the township's own history page, many families moved here to live west of the boundary of the proposed Detroit cross-district school busing plans; no such plan was ever carried out. Some years saw 2,000 new homes go up.
Today Canton is one of the big residential and shopping zones of the western suburbs, with Ford Road lined with stores; in 2005 IKEA announced its Michigan store here. Old Cherry Hill village was rebuilt around the township's own 400-seat theater, and every June Heritage Park hosts the three-day Liberty Fest, carnival rides and all.
02 / Known for
The only local community that kept its original Chinese name
The "Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan" nickname from 1925 to 1970
The emerald ash borer was first identified here in 2002 before spreading across the Great Lakes region
Canton Liberty Fest, the township's biggest community celebration since 1991
03 / What’s on
Oct 1, 2026, 7:30 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · Experience The Music Of 1971: Live In Concert plays The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.. As the title says, it's a live concert bringing back the music of 1971. There are two dates, so pick the one that suits you.
Oct 2, 2026, 6:00 PM500 Ridge RoadCanton · The Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill presents 'Fall Into Art,' a three-week pop-up event featuring hands-on arts and crafts, local artists, live acoustic music, pizza, seasonal snacks, and cider in Canton.
Oct 2, 2026, 7:30 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · Experience The Music Of 1971: Live In Concert plays The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.. As the title says, it's a live concert bringing back the music of 1971. There are two dates, so pick the one that suits you.
Oct 3, 2026, 3:00 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · Spirited comes to The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 3 p.m.. It happens just once, so put it on your calendar if you're interested.
Oct 3, 2026, 7:00 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · Specter comes to The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 7 p.m.. It happens just once, so put it on your calendar if you're interested.
Oct 7, 2026, 7:00 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · Psycho comes to The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7 p.m.. It happens just once, so put it on your calendar if you're interested.
Oct 9, 2026, 5:30 PM1150 S Canton CenterCanton · The Festival of Lights is a cultural celebration symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Organized by the Partnership for the Arts and Humanities in collaboration with local community groups in Canton, the event features Indian cultural dancing, a DJ, Indian cuisine, and henna art, concluding with a fireworks display.
Oct 9, 2026, 6:00 PM500 Ridge RoadCanton · The Arts Warehouse at Cherry Hill hosted three consecutive Friday evenings featuring hands-on arts and crafts, pizza, seasonal snacks, cider, and live acoustic music in Cherry Hill Village. The program included contributions from local artists and Village Arts Factory studio tenants, offering creative activities for all ages.
Oct 10, 2026, 1:00 PM1150 S Canton CenterCanton · Bring your family and dress up on Saturday, October 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. to visit over 30 candy stations on the trail at Heritage Park in Canton.
Oct 10, 2026, 7:00 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · The Fall Out 2 comes to The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.. It happens just once, so put it on your calendar if you're interested.
Oct 11, 2026, 11:00 AMDenton Rd and North of Cherry Hill RdCanton · On Sunday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Canton’s Denton Rd and North of Cherry Hill Rd host Pumpkins and Pups, a dog-friendly event with live entertainment, pet shopping, and a costume contest.
Oct 16, 2026, 8:00 PMThe Village Theater at Cherry Hill · The Rocky Horror Show hits the stage at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8 p.m.. There are three performances, so pick the one that works for you.
04 / Places
Crow's Nest Bar & Grill6166 N Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48187
Emagine Canton39535 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187
Escape Room Zone Canton41953 Ford Rd, Canton, MI 48187
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Detroit Canton41211 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187
Super 8 by Wyndham Canton/Livonia Area3933 Lotz Road, Canton, MI 48188
Travelodge by Wyndham Canton/Livonia Area, MI40500 Michigan Avenue, Canton, MI 4818805 / What to do
The township's own 400-seat theater and arts center in Cherry Hill: concerts, plays, dance, exhibitions and classes.
Official site ↗The big township park off Canton Center Road behind the municipal complex; Liberty Fest takes over in June.
Official site ↗Old Cherry Hill's historic buildings: the school and the Methodist church are state historic sites, and the restored 1840s Bartlett-Travis House opens for occasional tours.
Official site ↗06 / History
Sheldon Corners is founded beside the Sauk Trail, today's Michigan Avenue, one of the first settlements.
On March 7, Canton Township is created from the southern part of Plymouth Township.
The first township hall goes up at Canton Center and Cherry Hill for $700.
Canton Liberty Fest begins.
The emerald ash borer is first identified in Canton.
IKEA announces its Michigan store will open in Canton.
07 / Born here
08 / People
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Canton charter township).
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: +1.1 percent.
