Canton Mississippi, located in the geographic center of Madison County, was settled over 175 years ago as an early cotton farming center because of the rich soil between the Pearl and Big Black Rivers which form the North and South borders of Madison County. While many residents built beautiful antebellum homes, Canton grew as a booming railroad, lumber and saloon center prior to the Civil War.

Canton is a city in Madison County, Mississippi. The population was 13,189 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Madison County, and situated in the northern part of the metropolitan area surrounding the state capital, Jackson.

Much of Canton is on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse square is a historic shopping district and host to the Canton Flea Market. The picturesque Georgian courthouse is particularly notable and often appears in photographic exhibits of the South. The east side of town is a large part of the historic district with many homes.

Although not a major battle site during the Civil War, Canton was important as a rail and logistics center. Many wounded soldiers were treated in or transported through the city, and as a consequence it has a large Confederate cemetery.