The city of Canton is just 20 minutes south of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We are bordered by the Big Sioux River to the east and State Highway 11 to the west. From Sioux Falls, travel south on Interstate 29 to U S Highway 18 exit 62. Then, go east about 10 miles and you've found us! Below is a general map of the area followed by a more detailed map of our city.
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Canton Community Profile
Canton, South Dakota, population 3100, is located just 10 miles east of Interstate 29 on US Highway 18. Our community is approximately 20 miles south of Sioux Falls. We're surrounded by Newton Hills State Park, Big Sioux River, and the rolling hills of the Sioux Valley. Canton is the County Seat of Lincoln County. An $8.9 million dollar expansion of the courthouse was completed in 2009 and added much needed space to this historic building. Canton was also awarded the “2004 Community of the Year” by Governor Mike Rounds at the annual Governors Economic Development Conference. Our community's welcoming atmosphere and our rich, 140 year history, will make you feel at home.
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History
The earliest known visitor to the area was Lewis P. Hyde, who first came to the area in 1866. The first actual settler was August Linderman. By 1868 there were 35 people living in Lincoln County. The residents named the community Canton, believing the location to be the exact opposite of Canton, China. By the summer of that year a caravan of 180 Norwegian settlers crossed the Big Sioux River to make their home in Canton. In 1880, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad crossed the Big Sioux River to reach Canton. The city still has an active rail freight service. The city has many historical homes & buildings dating back to the late 1800’s. The Kennedy Mansion, on Dakota Street, is a must to see as well as the Historical Society House built in 1886. Lincoln County Courthouse built in 1889 and Canton Lutheran Church built in 1908. These are just a few of Canton’s historical sites.
City Government & Taxes
The Canton City Government is a City Manager form. Our Commission consists of 9 elected commissioners including the Mayor, each serving a term of 3 years. The city staff consists of a city manager, finance officer, 3 full time office staff and 11 full time city employees. The projected 2008 budget is $3.7 million. The 2007 levy for the City of Canton is as follows:
City: 9.25
County: 2.49
School: 15.56
Total: $27.30/1000 valuation
Parks/Recreation/Community Organizations
Newton Hills State Park, located 6 miles south of Canton, offers camping and picnicking, as well as horseback riding, nature trails and cross country skiing throughout the park. Our city hosts many recreation festivals and events. The summer starts with our Optimist Youth Days Carnival in June. The Big Sioux River Folk Festival in August attracts approximately 5,000 each year. The summer ends with our 4-H Achievement Days held on the 4-H grounds behind the hospital. Our fall event is Depot Days, followed by the Canton Chamber of Commerce annual Christmas Parade and Visit with Santa in December. Canton also has a 9-hole golf course with a club house, a community pool, and six area parks. Canton has many active community organizations that include: Masons, Greig Male Chorus, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Booster Club, Red Hat Society, PEO Sisterhood, Questers, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, Ministerial Association, Sons of Norway, Optimists Club, Love, INC., Historical Society, Grand Valley Rural School Historical Society, Junior Cheerleading, Boys & Girls Scouts, Boys & Girls Youth Softball, Youth Football & Baseball, Youth & Adult Bowling Leagues, 4-H Club, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), Garden Club, Meals on Wheels, Gun Club, Ducks Unlimited and an active VFW.
Public Safety
Canton was able to build a new Fire & EMS Station in 2001. Our EMS Department has two ambulances, one full time paramedic, employed by the hospital, and 15 part time EMT volunteers. Our fire department consists of 35 volunteers. The Canton Police Department consists of a full time Police Chief in charge of four full time police officers and six on-call officers. Our sheriffs department is located in Lincoln County Courthouse on Main Street.
Education
One of the important components contributing to the high quality of life in the Canton area is the Canton school system. Canton's enrollment is approximately 1,000 students. The school district is made up of a new technologically enhanced high school, a middle school adjacent to the high school, and an elementary school. Canton has 40 teachers as well as support staff.
Health Care
Sanford Hospital Canton-Inwood is a licensed 22 bed hospital located on the east side of town and includes Hiawatha Heights, a 12-unit assisted living community. Canton also has a clinic adjacent to the hospital and has four doctors and two Certified Nurse Practitioner. Sanford Clinic & Canton Family Physicians has been apart of the community since 1992. The Good Samaritan Center has been remodeled and is licensed to care for 64 persons. Keystone Treatment Center offers rehabilitation for substance abuse, alcoholism, gambling, and other related issues. Canton Family Dental and Dental Implant Group built a new facility on the west side of town and offers complete dental care with six dentists and specialists. Canton has two chiropractic offices, two pharmacies, one optometrist and two health and fitness facilities.
Industry
Canton is home to five industries. The longest active company has been the Eastern Farmers Co-op built in 1860, and employs approximately 60 people. Adams Thermal Systems, a company of approximately 350 employees, manufactures oil coolers, radiators and other engine cooling systems and components primarily for use in off-highway vehicles such as agricultural and construction equipment. Another employer is Bid-Well, a Division of CMI Corporation. Bid-Well specializes in concrete paving equipment. This business, founded in Canton, employs 66 people. Johnson Feed, Inc. distributes a wide range of salt products, as well as baler twine, tires, dog food and other items. They employ approximately 90 people and have 150 trucks going to 48 states. Fastek Products and its division, Midwest Molding is owned and operated in Canton. This company employs about 70 people. Fastek specialize in die cast items, plastic injection molding, and parts for the window industry.
Business
Our community has several restaurants where you can dine and relax. Canton has a steak house that offers an extensive menu featuring locally raised Black Angus Beef, as well as seafood. For more casual dinning, we also have sandwich shops, pizza, Chinese food, fast food and a locally owned café which offers home cooking. Canton has approximately 200 businesses that include 3 banks, a hardware store, several antique & gift shops, 2 discount stores, a greenhouse, florist, car wash, carpet & tile, 3 gas stations, 3 convenience stores, funeral home, several real estate offices, a grocery store, 5 insurance agencies, local newspaper, a veterinarian, bowling alley, many auto sales and repair shops, 4 law offices, a motel, 2 video rental stores, and a medical equipment supplier. Many other small businesses are not listed such as plumbers, electricians, contractors, hair salons, and day care providers.
Churches
The Canton area has ten churches. These churches include Canton Lutheran founded in 1868, Canton United Methodist, First Baptist, St. Dominic’s Catholic, Redeemer Free Lutheran, Bethany Reformed, Resurrection Life Fellowship, River of Life, Grand Valley Lutheran and Moe Parish. The community has a very active Ministerial Association that meets once a month and involves local pastors and youth directors working together to spread the word of God. They offer several opportunities throughout the year to meet and worship together. These include; a Unity Service, hosted by a different church each year, a Thanksgiving Eve Service, National Day of Prayer, and Baccalaureate. They are also responsible for the local food pantry and care for those in need in our community.
Utility Suppliers
Electric: Xcel Energy, Southeastern Electric Cooperative
City Commission Meetings Meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month. If City Hall is closed on that day, the meeting will be held the following evening on Tuesday. Read more...
Our fair City of Canton has chosen the mission statement: To be a premier South Dakota community. To that end our talented, dedicated city staff along with community leaders and the elected commissioners have embarked upon a strategic plan that lays the foundation for Canton to develop and grow a desirable, progressive community.
Rich in history and tradition "The Gateway City" of Canton is positioned to launch into the future. We are exploring green technology to power our community, expanding our infrastructure to handle growth, improving and expanding our amenities to exceed the desires of each generation, and are commencing on new collaborations with civic groups and our strong educational system to prove our commitment to be a premier South Dakota community.
The city of Canton is just 20 minutes south of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We are bordered by the Big Sioux River to the east and State Highway 11 to the west. From Sioux Falls, travel south on Interstate 29 to U S Highway 18 exit 62. Then, go east about 10 miles and you've found us! Below is a general map of the area followed by a more detailed map of our city.
The project is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 7, 2010.