Local History
You may be writing a report, researching an old Canton business, or maybe you are just curious about an old building in the area, a crime that took place in Canton in the 40s, or a person who lived in Canton in the 50s. We have many resources to help you. Some are listed below to give you an idea of our extensive collection in Canton area history. Some of the materials mentioned here may be accessed at home through the library's website. The library’s professional staff will be happy to assist you in finding information. Come to the library, call Reference Services at (330) 458-2754, or email the staff at Ask a Reference Librarian for further assistance.
The following documents are not listed in the card catalog, but are available in the Reference Department at the Main Library. These materials may not be checked out, but photocopies may be made.
Business File – This is a collection of articles from local newspapers on existing Stark County area businesses.
Don R. Mellett: A Canton Legend – This notebook consists of newspaper articles profiling a Canton Daily News journalist who was murdered in 1926 for crusading against corruption in Canton, Ohio.
Eddie Lee Sexton – You may inquire at the Reference Desk for a file of articles and some court documents on the notorious Sexton murder case.
Historic Ridgewood – This album contains pictures and articles pertaining to houses and events in the Ridgewood area of Canton. There are 164 pages of material covering the years 1980 to 2005.
Sharon A. Lane: A Canton Legend – Articles, websites, and a research paper (written by Tanya M. Shurie) make up this album. The subject is Sharon A. Lane, the famous Cantonian who was the first Army nurse to lose her life as a result of hostile fire in the Vietnam War.
Stark County Historical File – Brochures, pamphlets, postcards, pictures, newspaper articles, and more are in the historical file. The materials concern Canton area buildings, businesses, churches, schools, people, places, and events.
Yearbooks – A collection of miscellaneous yearbooks from Canton area high schools is available on the second floor of the Main Library.
In addition to the special files, the library has an assortment of books on the history of Canton and Stark County. Here are just a few titles from our circulating collection to spark your interest: circulating books may be reserved through the library's online catalog. All call numbers in this tutorial are for sources at the Main Library. Most circulating books may be checked out for two weeks.
Canton, Ohio 977.162 STE
This is a pictorial history of Canton from the 1860s through the 1960s. There are photographs of the many cultural communities of Canton, important people, churches, activities, and more.
Introducing Lake Township 977.162 INT
The culture and daily life of Lake Township, today and yesterday, are presented in a colorful, interesting volume.
The McKinley Monument: A Tribute to a Fallen President 977.162 KEN
The story behind the design and the making of the McKinley National Monument in Canton, Ohio is contained in these pages.
North Canton, Ohio: A Place in Time 977.162 HAL
North Canton’s history comes to life in this pictorial work.
The Stark County Bicentennial Story, 1776 – 1976 (3 vols.) 977.16 STA
In three volumes, the Bicentennial Committee presents information on the townships of Stark County. The chapters discuss the history, people, businesses, churches, schools, and culture of these areas.
The Stark County Story (6 vols.) 977.16 HEA
These volumes contain information on the culture, people, businesses, etc., of the Stark County area from its beginnings in 1805 to 1959.
Stark County: Then and Now 977.162 THO
The creator of this book copied historical photographs of businesses, churches, schools, and other sites in Stark County. He then took pictures of the same places as they look today.
Towpath to Towpath: A History of Massillon, Ohio 977.162 VOG
Massillon’s history is told here through descriptions of its people and places.
William McKinley and Our America: A Pictorial History 973.88 MCE
President William McKinley’s life is illustrated in this biography.
The following titles are for use in the library only, but photocopies may be made. They are found in the Reference collection on the second floor of the Main Library.
Canton Landmarks (3 vols.) RR 720.9771 CAN
These books are compilations of calendars from 1982 – 1995. Each month has a picture of a historical building, home, school, activity, or business and a short description of each.
Louisville, Ohio through the Years, 1834 – 1984 R 977.162 LOU
Louisville’s churches, schools, and industries are pictured and described for the reader.
Meyers Lake Park: The Last Dance (1869 – 1979) R 977.162 BRO
This is a comprehensive volume on Meyers Lake Park, the famous Canton amusement park. Pictures of families, rides, dances, bands, and postcards are included, plus 2 CDs of sounds of the Moonlight Ballroom.
Selected Landmark Architecture of Alliance, Ohio R 720.9771 JCH
Here you will find pictures and descriptions of some historical homes and public structures in Alliance.
Yesteryears R 977.162 BAS
The history of Stark County is told in pictures.
These sites will help with Canton and Stark County history.
Canton Preservation Society Four historic Canton buildings and information on their architecture are featured by the society. http://www.cantonpreservation.com/history.html
Ohio Historical Society (OHS) Use the search box to plug in Canton or Stark County for some amazing pictures in the Ohio Pix section. There is also a link to Severe Weather in Ohio which gives pictures of storm-hit areas throughout Ohio history. http://www.ohiohistory.org
Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook is an image collection of pictures, artifacts, postcards, books, papers, and other memorabilia that are a part of the history of Ohio. Searching this website for Canton or Stark County will give you countless items on old companies, people, buildings, and more. http://www.ohiomemory.org
William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum specializes in information on President McKinley and historical information on businesses in the Stark County area. http://www.mckinleymuseum.org