Canton, city, Fulton county, west-central Illinois, U.S. It lies in the Illinois River valley between the Illinois and Spoon rivers, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Peoria. Founded in 1825 by Isaac Swan, a native of New York, it was named in the belief that it was diametrically opposite Guangzhou (Canton), China. Swan built a sawmill there, and Canton subsequently developed as a centre for the manufacture of cigars and farm tools and became the site of a large International Harvester Company (now Navistar International Corporation) farm-implement factory. During World War II, International Harvester’s Canton Works was a leading centre for the production of defense products; the plant ceased production in 1983. Canton is the county’s commercial and trading centre; bituminous-coal mining, farming (corn [maize], wheat, soybeans, and livestock), and a state prison contribute to the economy. The city is the seat of Spoon River (junior) College (1959). Lake Wee-Ma-Tuk (west), Canton Lake (east), and several wildlife areas along the Illinois River (east and southeast) provide recreational opportunities. Inc. 1837. Pop. (2000) 15,288; (2010) 14,704.