Canton Township, which took its name from the city in China to distinguish itself from other early American communities, has a rich agricultural heritage, evident in its onetime moniker Corn Capital of Michigan. The pioneers who traveled to Canton in the first half of the 19th century were a hearty breed of farmers and settlers who cleared land, built roads, and forged a life for their families in the wilderness of the Northwest Territories. No single town center emerged, but two villages–Sheldon Corners and Cherry Hill–sprang up to provide centers of community activity in their churches, post offices, and general stores. Eventually the appearance of the automobile and the expressway dramatically altered the landscape of Canton Township, leading to the commercial development and housing boom of today.