Canton

In the 50 years following the Civil War, Canton grew from a small farming community to a wealthy industrial city, distributing products worldwide. The city also became a center of political power as lawyer William McKinley rose from U.S. congressman and governor of Ohio to president of the United States. Following McKinley’s assassination, the city oversaw the building of his imposing memorial. At the same time, Canton citizens built hospitals, schools, civic buildings, churches, homes, parks, and even one of the state’s largest amusement parks. Along the way, the Professional Football League, forerunner of the National Football League, was created. This book features postcards of important Canton sites as well as a chapter dedicated to Myers Lake, the center of recreation in Canton for nearly 100 years.