Canton Borough

Geography, Topography, and History

Canton Borough is located in the southwest corner of the County. It is entirely surrounded by Canton Township on all of its sides as it is situated near the center of the township. Both the Mill Creek and the Towanda Creek flow through the Borough east to west. The Borough is situated in a flat valley surrounded by mountains. State Routes 414, 14, and 154 are all major thoroughfares that travel through the Borough.

Rufus Gere first settled in the borough of Canton in 1796. The Borough was originally known as “Canton Four Corners”. Nearly seventy years after its first settlement, in 1863, the Borough was officially formed. On March 1, 1881, the First National Bank of Canton was established. Miss Emma Smeager taught the first school in 1803 which was built by Samuel Griffen.

Local Government and Current Data

The local government of Canton Borough consists of an elected Mayor and seven councilmen. There is a planning commission that consists of five members. In 2005, the Borough adopted a joint comprehensive plan that includes Canton Township and Granville Township. The borough continues to use zoning ordinances that were adopted in 1976, and there is a zoning hearing board that consists of five members that handles new developments. The Bradford County Office of Planning and Grants handles all subdivisions and land developments.

The Borough of Canton is a busy town with several amenities and services for the residents. The Green Free Library is one of the amenities the Borough offers that is open to the public regularly. There are several chapels in the Borough which include: Saint Michael’s, Saint John’s and Saint Aloysius Church, New Life Church, Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist, and the Canton Ecumenical Parish. There is a local farmer’s market in the Borough open May through October on Saturdays. The Borough has several parks that include: Canton Area School District Parks, Morse Park, War Memorial Park, and Canton Fireman’s Field.

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