Canton in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Farming in Canton

The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan

Photographed By Joel Seewald, November 17, 2016

1. Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker

Inscription.
Canton's loamy soil was a natural draw
to the region's settlers. From 1825 to the 1960s farming was the main vocation in Canton. At first, self-sustaining farms provided the only food and income for a family. By the 1920s, automobiles, tractors and trucks enabled access to the Detroit markets, and Canton farms and dairies became prosperous businesses.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service and Canton Community.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 42° 18.514′ N, 83° 32.051′ W. Marker is in Canton, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Ridge Road and Roanoke Avenue. Marker is on a path behind the Bartlett Travis House in Preservation Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 North Ridge Road, Canton MI 48187, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Palmer Shed (here, next to this marker); Bartlett Travis House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Historic Cady Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Preservation Park

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Canton Pioneer Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cherry Hill School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cherry Hill Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Ford Village Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — upper left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Canton Historical Society.

2. Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — upper left image

Farm implement dealer M. L. Kirchoff (left) discusses farm pest control with Melvin (Bud) Corwin and Warren Palmer, 1960s.

Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — lower left image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Canton Historical Society.

3. Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — lower left image

Milk wagon belonging to Ezra Forshee, about 1900. Forshee operated the Maple Lawn Dairy in Canton, bottling and delivering milk locally.

Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — upper right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Free Press.

4. Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan Marker — upper right image

Stan Gill in 1984 with a few of the family's herd of Holstein milk cows.

Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan — lower right image image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of Canton Historical Society.

5. Farming in Canton: The Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan — lower right image

Bags containing 5 dozen ears of corn each are being loaded onto a truck by Dick Palmer to be delivered to a Kroger warehouse.

Farming in Canton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou

6. Farming in Canton Marker

Bartlett Travis House in background

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 21, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 6. submitted on May 12, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.