Canton

Ever since Bezaleel Wells founded the town in 1805, Canton has cherished an identity all its own. This was home to William McKinley, our nation's 25th president; Augustus Julliard, whose financial generosity led to the Juilliard School of Music; Jack Paar, on whose coattails Johnny Carson rode; musicians Macy Gray, Marilyn Manson, Boz Scaggs, the O'Jays; baseball great Thurman Munson -- the list of famous Stark Countians goes on. Top employers include The Timken Company, Aultman Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Maytag Corporation, Hoover FloorCare and Diebold Inc. Educational resources abound, including Malone College, Mount Union College, Stark State College of Technology, Walsh University and branch campuses for both Ashland and Kent State universities. Residents and visitors alike can sample a sense of that history and culture at the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the First Ladies National Historic Site and a vibrant arts scene.