Canton Real Estate Listings of Houses and Homes for Sale in Washtenaw County, Michigan


	Canton Houses for Sale

Canton

The Potawatomi Indians were the first inhabitants of the Canton area. They were hunter-gatherers, creating trails that are known today as Ridge Road, Ann Arbor Trail, North Territorial Road, Geddes Road, Joy Road and Michigan Avenue. An ancient lake deposited the rich minerals and organic matter that made Canton a flourishing agricultural area for the first white settlers. The Eerie Canal opened in 1825 and brought pioneers seeking new land from New York and New England. These settlers had to battle mosquitoes and cut back dense forests to farm the fertile land. Their efforts were successful and the village of Canton began to take shape as homes, churches and schools were built in the 1830’s.

The early farms were self-sustaining and extra products were sold or bartered. Canton farms had milk cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. Ice blocks cut from rivers during the winter kept food cold in summer. From 1925 to 1970 Canton was known as the Sweet Corn Capitol of Michigan. Corn was sold at farmer’s markets within a day’s drive of Canton. There were many dairy farms in Canton. The creameries in Sheldon Corners and Cherry Hill processed the milk and distributed it to neighboring communities, including Detroit. One herd of dairy cows still exists in Canton. It is owned by descendants of one of the first families to settle in Canton.

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a short drive away for Canton Township residents. "Big Blue" enjoys a worldwide reputation that draws esteemed professors from all parts of the world and hosts a wide range of cultural events promoting local and visiting artists, musicians, writers and celebrities. On or near campus are the Exhibit Museum of Natural History, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Art, Nichols Arboretum, Phoenix Memorial Laboratory and William L. Clements Library. Ann Arbor is also home to several other institutions of higher leaner including Cleary College, Concordia College, Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum features more than 250 interactive exhibits.

Canton residents are also close to all the amenities available in Detroit. Museums include the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Science Center and the Motown Historical Museum. Other places to visit include the Detroit Public Library, Grand Circus Park, Old Mariners’ Church and Pewabic Pottery. The Detroit Zoological Park is in nearby Royal Oak and the Automotive Hall of Fame is in Dearborn, along with the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Professional sports teams include the Tigers, the Lions, the Pistons and the Red Wings. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs at Orchestra Hall, which also features stage performances, operas and dance. There are more than 20 shopping malls in the city.