GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
  


AREA: Canton: 20.5 square miles   Madison County: 717 square miles

CLIMATE: The area enjoys complete seasonal cycles with pleasant spring and fall seasons. Winter months are mild with cold spells of short duration. Summer months are quite warm. The mean annual temperature is 65.6 degrees. Average annual rainfall is 52.07 inches.

LOCATION: Located in central Mississippi, Canton is 20 miles north of the capital city of Jackson, MS. It is a lively self-sufficient community in the metro area. US Highways 51, 16, 22 and 43 intersect in Canton. Canton is located at north exit 124 and south exit 119 of Interstate 55.

POPULATION IN 2000:  Canton—12,911   Madison County—74,674

MEDIA
NEWSPAPERS
Madison County Herald (Weekly)
670 Highway 51, Suite C
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 853-2899		 Clarion-Ledger (Daily)
P. O. Box 23067
Jackson, MS 39225-3067
(601) 961-7000

Madison County Journal (Weekly)
105 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Ridgeland, MS  39158
(601) 853-4222
RADIO STATIONS   TELEVISION
WMGO 1370 AM WJTV Channel 12
(601) 859-2373 WAPT Channel 16
WLBT Channel 03
WONG  1150 AM WDBD Channel 40
(601) 855-2035 ETV Channel 29
WYAB  93.1 FM
(601) 879-0093

SALES TAX: Canton, like the state of Mississippi, has a seven percent (7%) sales tax on retail purchases. Canton adds a two percent (2%) tax on lodging and restaurants for tourism promotion.

Turn of the century Court House Square.

EMPLOYMENT

Mississippi Employment Security Commission
152 Watford Parkway
Canton, MS
(601) 859-7117
Canton Representative:  Jessica Nichols
Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.

Telephone Switching Office operated until 1962 when rotary dial came to town.

CHURCHES
CHURCH  ADDRESS  PASTOR
BAPTIST 
Calvary Baptist Church 474 Washington Avenue
Canton Bible Baptist  815 N. Martin Luther King Drive  Rev. Dickson
Center Terrace Baptist   605 E. Peace Street Rev. Danny Berry
First Baptist Church   3316 S. Liberty Street

Liberty Baptist Church

 815 W. Fulton Street  Rev. Isaac Jackson
Mt. Abel Church 1864 Wighway 43 Rev. W. Travis
Mt. Zion Baptist Church  514 W. North Street  Dr. W. L. Johnson
Priestley Chapel M. B. Church 177 Virlilia Road Rev. Robert E. McCallam
South Liberty Missionary   3222 S. Liberty Street Rev. Freddie Carson
St. James M. B. Church 814 Old Yazoo City Road Rev. Clyde Tate
 

 
CATHOLIC
Holy Child Jesus  315 Garrett Street  Father Joseph Dyer
Sacred Heart Catholic 248 E. Center Street Father Joseph Dyer
 

 
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Philadelphia Church of God   300 S. Walnut Street Rev. R. Greenwood
Pleasant Green  925 Lutz Street  Evelyn Henry
 

 
EPISCOPAL
Grace Episcopal 161 E. Peace Street  Rev. Jud Meaders
 

 
INTERDENOMINATIONAL
Miracle of Faith Temple  3466 N. Liberty Street  Rev. Ozzie Johnson
 

 
METHODIST
First United Methodist  3301 S. Liberty Street
Lampton Chapel  715 W. Fulton Street  Rev. Brooks
Little Zion  522 Church Street Rev. J. Johnson
St. Paul Church  228 W. North Street 
 

 
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Canton Christian Center  2735 S. Hwy 51 South  Rev. B. Roberts
 

 
PENTECOSTAL
Apostolic Lighthouse Church 5129 Highway 43 Rev. D. Grantham
First United Pentecostal Church 3734 N. Liberty Street Rev. W. G. Bryant
Greater Faith Calvary 551 Martin Luther King  Rev. W. Clemons
 

 
PRESBYTERIAN
First Presbyterian Church  202 E. Peace Street 
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
Canton Seventh Day Adventist 927 George Washington Avenue Pastor Juleun Johnson

HOUSING

Canton’s residential areas are among the most pleasant found anywhere. Here, modern homes blend harmoniously with those of an earlier era that have been carefully restored and immaculately kept. Community pride is evident in Canton. Canton offers newcomers a variety of homes diverse in cost, style, and location. Those liking new homes may find moderately priced subdivisions offering lots convenient to all facets of the area.

Price of Homes:
 Most prices range from $45 to $55 per square foot on new homes. Older homes will range from $40 to $50 per square foot.

Subdivision and Residential Lots:
 The average lot size in subdivision located in the city limits of Canton is 90 ft. by 150 ft. There are also some subdivision lots that range in size from one to three acres that lie in areas within three miles of the city limits.

Subdivision and residential lots range in cost from $10,000 to $30,000.

Rental Property:
 A number of single-family homes for rent in the Canton area renting for between $350 to $700 per month.
Most single family homes will require a minimum of 6-12 months lease and up to first month’s rent for the deposit.

UTILITIES AND SERVICES

UTILITIES:

Original Canton Municipal Utility Power Plant.

CITY: Canton Municipal Utilities, (601)  859-2921 127 W. Peace Street
Renting: Electric, Water & Gas - $185.00. Just water - $40.00.  You will need a rental receipt and two forms of identification.
Buying home: Electric, Water & Gas - $75.00. Just water - $20.00. You will need a copy of your deed and two forms of identification.
Trailers: Electric, Water & Gas - $250.00. Just water - $40.00. You will need a rental receipt or a copy of your deed, and two forms of identification.

COUNTY: Entergy 1-800-368-3749
Renting or buying – deposit $85.00 to $150.00, depending on previous history.

TELEPHONE: BellSouth Home Service: 557-6500, Business Service: 557-6000
Monday – Friday: 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.,  Saturday: 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

CABLE
Comcast  Wireless One
Canton, MS 39046 181 Davis Johnson Road, Richland, MS
(601) 859-2888 • 1-866-275-8773 (601)  939-1500

TRASH & RECYCLING

City Landfill Hours: Monday – Thursday 7 A.M. – 4 P.M., Saturday, 8 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Residential: Collection of combined garbage, trash & refuse made twice each week. The South side of Peace Street on Monday and Thursday/North side of Peace Street – Tuesday & Friday.

Recycling Centers – Located at city landfill.

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

150 South Union St., Canton, MS 39046 1-800-275-8777

Monday - Friday - 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday - 9 AM to 11 AM

EDUCATION

Original Canton Grammar School.

Canton Public Schools
 Canton has a fully accredited public school system. Individualized instruction is the basic philosophy of the learning program in the entire four-school system. The recently completed new Canton Public High School offers an athletic program, including football, basketball, track and boxing.

Canton Separate School District
Superintendent’s Office Canton Alternative School
Dwight Luckett Mr. Roosevelt Roberts
403 Lincoln Street, Canton  439 Trolio Street, Canton
(601) 859-4110 (601) 859-5010
Canton Elementary School  McNeal Elementary School
Rhonda Powe Mrs. Carrie Wade
South Hargon Street, Canton  364 Martin Luther King Drive, Canton
(601) 859-2400 (601) 859-3654
Nichols Middle School  Canton High School
Mr. Roosevelt Greenwood Mr. Cleveland Anderson
529 Mace Street, Canton  634 Finney Road, Canton
(601) 859-3741 (601) 859-5325
Canton Education Center Canton Arts & Sciences School
Roosevelt Roberts Pallascene Cole
439 Trolio St. 357 Old Yazoo City Rd.
Canton, MS 39046 Canton, MS 39046
601-859-5010 601-855-7819

Private and Parochial Schools

Canton Academy – (601) 859-5231 – David Glasgow,  Headmaster
Canton Academy founded in 1965 is a K - 12 Grade School facility fully accredited by the Mississippi State Department of Education and offers a well-rounded program. Its academic program is basically college preparatory and is balanced by an excellent program of extracurricular activities.

Holy Child Jesus – (601) 859-4168 – Sister Anita Henning – Principal. 315 Garrett Street, Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. Regular general curriculum.

Discovery Center – (601) 859-7224 – Carolyn Mims – Director. 212 South Union Street, Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten.

Technical Schools: Higher Education:
Canton Career Center Holmes Community College
Michael Myrick 412 W. Ridgeland Ave.
487 N. Union Street, Canton Ridgeland, MS
(601) 859-3984 (601) 856-5400

LIBRARY:
Canton – Madison County Public Library 
102 Priestley Street
Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-3202

The Canton – Madison County Public Library serves as headquarters for the County Library System. It contains shelf space for 60,000 volumes and includes an exceptional reference section. An auditorium and smaller conference room are available for public use.

CITY GOVERNMENT

CITY

Canton has a Mayor – Board of Aldermen form of government. A full-time mayor is elected while six aldermen are elected from their separate wards and one alderman at large. The aldermen meet the first and third Tuesday at 4:00 each month.

Canton Mayor, Charlie Harris speaks at the commissary of King Lumber Company with Harold King, Jr., in the background.1940's.
MAYOR: ALDERMAN – AT - LARGE:
Fred Esco, Jr. Alice C. Scott
226 East Peace Street
1131 North Liberty Street Ext.
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
 Office: (601) 859-4331   Home: (601) 859-2806  (601) 859-2806
ALDERMAN WARD 1: ALDERMAN WARD 2:
Ray Rosamond Billy Myers
336 E. North Street 372 Williams St.
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-1231 (601) 855-0718
ALDERMAN WARD 3: ALDERMAN WARD 4:
Charles Weems Louis Smith
709 N. Kathy Circle 541 Cowan Street 
Canton, MS 39046 Canton, MS 39046
 Office: (601) 859-4065   Home: (601) 859-5275 Office: (601) 859-1001   Home: (601) 859-7502
ALDERMAN WARD 5: ALDERMAN WARD 6:
 Kenneth W. Jones  Eric Gilkey
232 Boyd Street  592 Mace Street
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-3438 

(601) 859-6547

Future Mayor Fred Esco and family.
CITY CLERK: CANTON MUNICIPAL UTILITIES:
Valerie Smith John Wallace, General Manager
226 E. Peace Street 127 W. Peace Street
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-4331 (601) 859-2921
PUBLIC WORKS: CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU:
 Joann Gordon
303 Soldier Colony Road 137 N. Union Street
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-3245 (601) 859-1307
CITY ENGINEER: REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:
Rudy Warnock  Maureen Simpson, Executive Director
3350 N. Liberty Street 3340 N. Liberty Street
Canton, MS 39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-3600 (601) 859-3815
BUILDING INSPECTOR/ PARKS & RECREATION:
HOUSING INSPECTOR

Alvin Davis, Director
Donald Lawrence Lisa Ward, Administrative Assistant
226 E. Peace Street 501 Soldiers Colony
Canton, MS  39046 Canton, MS  39046
(601) 859-8116 (601) 859-4358

alvin@cantonparksandrec.com
POLICE CHIEF:
Robert Winn FIRE CHIEF:
200 Park Drive Andrew Hughes
Canton, MS  39046 3393 N. Liberty St.
601-859-2121 Canton, MS  39046
601-859-3112

Early 1950’s firemen at town’s only fire station. Building housed the Fire Department upstairs, pumper bay on right downstairs and the Police Station on the left downstairs with jail behind. Firemen L-R: Robert Williams, Edgar Johnson, Ed Smith, Charles Ray Robinson and Robert Mauldin. The Chevrolet pumper is named "Kathy" for the daughter of "Bubs" Mosby.
 
Canton Multipurpose/Equine CENTER:
Glen Robinson, Manager
Melissa Daniel, Special Events Coordinator
Polly Cox, Concessions
501 Solider Colony Rd.
Canton, MS 39046
601-859-4358

 

 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

HEALTHCARE
Emergency:  911 Ambulance: (601)  859-3514
Madison County Medical Center:  (601) 859-1331
 Highway 16 East, Canton
A general hospital containing 67 private rooms. Services provided at the Hospital include: medical, surgical, obstetrical, clinical laboratory, dietary, recreational and geriatric psychiatric services. Out patient services include: Family Medicine, Occupation Health Services, Adult Psychiatry, Case Management, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Madison County Nursing Home: (601) 855-5760
1421 E. Peace Street
A 66 bed nursing facility with assisted living services and an additional 20 bed Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit

Madison County Healthplex:  (601) 855-5760
1421 E. Peace Street
A fully equipped fitness center. Fitness Counselors are available along with Water Aerobics and Arthritis Classes. Indoor heated pool with wheelchair access.

HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
Sta-Home Health Agency
1360 East Peace St.,  Nursing Office:  (601) 859-1111		 Mid-Delta Health Systems
1150 East Peace Street    (601) 855-2400

The local medical community consists of the following:

Dentists:
Dr. William Lampkin 1177 Hart Street (601) 859-4184
Dr. Kevin M. Nelson 1177 Hart Street (601) 859-4184
Optometrists:
Dr. Craig Boyce 1185 Hart Street (601) 859-3464
Physicians:
Carmichael Family Health Center 1668 W. Peace Street (601) 859-5213
Canton Family Medical Clinic 120 E. Academy (601) 859-2611
Canton Physicians Group 1863 Highway 43 South (601) 859-8782

SAFETY

Canton Police Department 1980.
 
Police Department  (601) 859-2121
Robert Winn, Chief of Police 
The Canton Police Department employs 38 staff which include: 24 full time policemen, 3 full time dispatchers, 3 part-time dispatchers, Customer Relations officers and 1 part time officer. Police vehicles are radio equipped.
Sheriff Department (601) 859-2345
Toby Trowbridge, Sheriff
The Sheriff’s office, headquartered in Canton, provides protection to the rural area of Madison County with over 21 full time employees.
Fire Department (601) 859-3112
Andrew Hughes, Fire Chief

The Canton Fire Department employs 35 full time fire fighters. This consists of a full time chief, 1 assistant fire chief, 1 fire inspector and 1 training officer.


2007 Canton Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Association, Inc.
All rights reserved. You may contact us by phone at: (601) 859-5816