The Square / Historical District
There are three historic districts in Canton. These include the National Register Residential Historic District, the Local Residential Historic District, and the
Commercial Historic District, which encompasses the Square.
The Square is located in the heart of Canton and includes over 75 buildings. The Square is home to many unique retail shops, museums, and the Old Courthouse.
The Courthouse, which was completed in 1858, is one of only seven pre-civil war courthouses in Mississippi to be in basically unaltered condition. In 1982,
the Historic Courthouse Square District was officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places and declared one of three best examples in the State
of Mississippi for historic preservation.
Today the Courthouse Square is still the focus of exciting activities. In addition to its retail shops and museums, the nationally recognized
Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show is held bi-annually on the lawn of the Courthouse.
The Flea Market, which began in 1965, has become one of the largest outdoor craft markets in the South with over 100,000 visitors annually. Other events held on
the Square that attract thousands of annual visitors include the month long Victorian Christmas Festival with life-size moving figures and thousands of white
lights, and the Canton Gospel Fest Homecoming.
The City has adopted regulations specific to the City's Historic Commercial District, which enable the city to protect the unique charm and character of the area while preserving its historical significance. For more information regarding the City's Historic District regulations contact the city's Building and Development Department at 601.859.0356.