307 North Main Street

Open for free tours June – August on Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m.

For tours by appointment call (507) 438-5333

Sponsored by the Canton Historical Society

The Mitson House was built in 1882 by Conrad Abrahamson and sold in 1886 to Horace Mitson, who came to Canton from Taopi, Minnesota, to open a harness and saddle shop. Florence Mitson was born in 1890 and spent nearly all of her life in the family’s Canton home. After graduating from Canton High School, she attended Winona Teacher’s College and later taught first and second grade in Canton for 17 years. After her death in 1981, the house was gifted to the City of Canton and made into a museum and library. The museum collection includes an organ, original service window from the Canton post office, a summer kitchen, and many books and historical documents. The kitchen is the way Florence left it with her teacart, dry sink and cupboard. In the upstairs, tour the bedroom with its original furniture, which includes a Jenny Lind bed, fainting couch, trunk and dresser. In the nook at the top of the stairs is a children’s library. The shelves are filled with popular titles from many generations.   

101 West Prairie Avenue

For tours by appointment call (507) 438-5333

Sponsored by the Canton Historical Society

Canton’s train depot was built in 1879 by the Caledonia, Mississippi and Western Railroad Company. In 1880, the line transferred to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific. In 1901, the narrow gauge rails were widened to standard gauge, and all of the advantages of standard gauge were soon realized. For several decades, the depot was the centerpiece of the community and surrounding area. It was the gathering place to welcome friends, the focus of business activities – featuring the fast means of transportation, the beginning and end of all special holidays, and a forum of recreation for both young and old – watching the trains come and go. By the 1950s, train travel was waning in popularity with the increased use of automobiles; passenger service was discontinued in Canton in the mid-50s. Freight rail continued for another 20 years, with the Preston to Reno of the Milwaukee Lines abandoned on October 27, 1976. A year later, the tracks were torn up and the land was sold back to abutting property owners. Fast-forward to the current century and new vision for abandoned train depot.  In 2011, Austin, Minnesota, native Larry Huber purchased the building and gifted it to the Canton Historical Society. Three years later, volunteers began an aggressive restoration agenda to restore the depot to its 1910 condition. 2018 saw a major achievement, with the depot being named to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, fundraising efforts continue to assist in the depot’s renovation. Additional grant dollars are also being sought.  Donations can be made to the Canton Historical Society at PO Box 15, Canton, MN 55922.  

Main Street and Veterans Drive

On Memorial Day 2022, the Canton American Legion dedicated its new tribute to Canton area veterans. The veterans memorial is located at the intersection of Main Street and Veterans Drive in downtown Canton. It includes engraved brick pavers in honor of those who serve and protect our nation. The memorial is a work-in-progress, with new features in the works and being planned. Brick pavers can be purchased by contacting the Canton American Legion.

38571 Dovetail Road

Situated in the tiny rural village of Lenora, four miles northeast of Canton, the Lenora United Methodist Church was the first church built in Fillmore County. Begun in 1856, rebuilt in 1865, the doors of the historic stone church are open again for Christian ministry, with special worship services held throughout the year. It is worth a visit to see the structure, constructed from locally quarried stone. Included inside are hand carved pews, a pot belly stove, an old pump organ, as well as kerosene lamps. The church is a popular tourist attraction in the area and is open year-round for self-guided tours.

More than 100 Old Order Amish families live in the countryside outside Canton and neighboring Harmony. “Old Order” indicates they are very private people and use only limited technology in their homes and businesses. The Amish began their move to the Canton-Harmony area in 1974 and have grown to over 1,000 people, with 10 church districts and 10 one-room schools. The Amish primarily make their living through farming, construction and by making and selling crafts. Baskets, furniture, jams, rugs, quilts, baked goods and cashew crunch are among the items available for sale in local businesses and at farmers markets, Amish homes and roadside stands. In recent years, the Amish have found success in the nursery business, with six flower shops in the Canton area.