Canton

Canton, city, seat (1867) of Lincoln county, southeastern South Dakota, U.S. It lies along the Big Sioux River at the Iowa border, about 20 miles (30 km) southeast of Sioux Falls. It was founded in 1866 and was first called Commerce City but was renamed (1868) by settlers who believed that its location on the globe was diametrically opposite Guangzhou (Canton), China. It became the centre of a Norwegian community and was used by O.E. Rölvaag as a setting for his novel Giants in the Earth (1927). The agriculture-based economy (corn [maize], soybeans, cattle, and hogs) is augmented by light industries (heating and cooling systems, paving equipment, and window components). Annual events include the Canton Car Show and the Sioux River Folk Festival, held in Newton Hills State Park, just south of the city. Inc. 1881. Pop. (2000) 3,110; (2010) 3,057.