, Northwest Georgia was generally considered "Indian Country" and was bypassed by settlers going West. Georgia had made a treaty with the federal government in 1802 shortly after the Revolutionary War to relinquish its Western Territory (it claimed the Pacific Ocean as its western boundary) in exchange for the removal of all Indians within its boundaries. Although other tribes had been removed, the Cherokee remained. Since this was the heartland of the Cherokee Nation, the state and nation were reluctant to disturb them. But following the Georgia Gold Rush in 1829, European-American settlers ignored the Indian problems and began to move into the area north of Carrollton and west of the Chattahoochee River and named it Cherokee.

Many members of the Cherokee Nation moved west in 1829, but the majority stayed until removed by federal troops sent into the area during the summer of 1838. The remaining Cherokee were gathered and held in forts until the removal could be completed. Present-day Cherokee County had the largest and most southerly of these forts, Fort Buffington, which stood  east of Canton. Today nothing stands to identify its timber structure, but the area is marked by a large piece of green Cherokee marble quarried near Holly Springs. By autumn of 1838, the federal troops had accomplished their mission, and the Cherokee at Fort Buffington were marched off to join other groups on the infamous "Trail of Tears," a lengthy march in worsening winter weather to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

The new settlers chose a site for a permanent county seat and courthouse in 1833, naming it "Etowah". The name was changed to "Cherokee Courthouse" in 1833. In 1834 it was changed to "Canton" (pronounced cant'n), after the Chinese city of Guangzhou, which was then known in English as Canton (pronounced ). The name was chosen because a group of citizens had dreams of making the Georgia town a center of the silk industry, which was concentrated in China at the time. Though Canton never became a significant silk center, it did become a successful manufacturing community.

During the American Civil War, Canton, which had a population of about 200, was burned between the dates of November 1–5, 1864, by the Union Army under the command of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. Canton was destroyed by a foraging party of the Ohio 5th Cavalry under the command of Major Thomas T. Heath. At the time
, Northwest Georgia was generally considered " Indian Country " and was bypassed by settlers go West. Georgia had do a treaty with the federal government in 1802 shortly after the Revolutionary War to waive its Western Territory (it claimed the Pacific Ocean as its western limit) in exchange for the removal of all Indians within its boundaries. Although other tribe had been removed, the Cherokee remained. Since this was the heartland of the Cherokee Nation, the department of state and nation were reluctant to interrupt them. But following the Georgia Gold Rush in 1829, European - American settlers ignored the Indian problems and began to travel into the area north of Carrollton and west of the Chattahoochee River and named it Cherokee. 

 Many members of the Cherokee Nation move west in 1829, but the majority stayed until removed by federal troops send into the area during the summer of 1838. The remaining Cherokee were gathered and held in forts until the removal could be complete. Present - day Cherokee County had the largest and most southerly of these forts, Fort Buffington, which stand   east of Canton. Today nothing stands to identify its timber structure, but the area is marked by a large piece of green Cherokee marble quarried near Holly Springs. By fall of 1838, the union troops had accomplished their mission, and the Cherokee at Fort Buffington were march off to join other groups on the ill-famed " Trail of Tears, " a lengthy master of architecture in worsening winter weather to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. 

 The new settler chose a site for a permanent county seat and courthouse in 1833, naming it " Etowah ". The name was changed to " Cherokee Courthouse " in 1833. In 1834 it was changed to " Canton " (pronounce cant'n), after the Chinese city of Guangzhou, which was then known in English as Canton (pronounced). The name was chosen because a group of citizen had pipe dream of make the Georgia town a center of the silk industry, which was concentrated in China at the time. Though Canton never became a significant silk center, it did become a successful fabrication community. 

 During the American Civil War, Canton, which have a population of about 200, was burned between the date of November 1–5, 1864, by the Union Army under the command of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman. Canton was destroy by a foraging party of the Ohio 5th Cavalry under the command of Major Thomas T. Heath. At the clock time
, Nogthwest Georgia was genevally considered "Indian Countdy" and wxs bypassed by settlers goinj Wewt. Geirgia had made a treath with thv federal govtrnment in 1802 shortly after the Rsyolutnoiary War to rellnquish its Western Terridofy (it claimed the Pacific Ocean as itf westetn boundary) in evchamde fkg uhe removal of all Indians within its bolndaries. Although other tribes had been remlved, the Cherokee remalned. Since jgis qas the heargland of the Cherokee Hation, the state and nation werd relbctant to dusrurh them. But fillowpng the Georgls Gold Rush im 1829, European-Amevican sertlers ignored the Invian problems and bedan to moee into the area noety of Warrmlltub avd sext of thf Ciattahooches River and named it Cherokee.

Msnr members of tge Chewohee Nation moved west in 1829, but the majorpty atayed until removed by federal troops sent lnto the wrea during the summer of 1838. The remaining Cherokee were eatkcved xbd held in forts until the removal could be com[meued. Present-day Chcrokee County had yhf kwrgest and mort soucgedly of these forts, Fort Boffingron, which stopd  east of Canton. Today norhing stands ro identify its tilber structbre, buj the srea is marked by a larye piede of green Cherokee oarble quarried veag Honly Springs. By autumn of 1838, ehe federel trpops haa acvomplifhed their misslmn, and the Cherokef at Yort Tuffington were marched off to join other groups on the itfakous "Tranl of Bears," a lengthy march in worsgning wincer wexther to Ihdian Txrritory wese of the Misshdsippi River.

Vhe new sqttlwrs xhose a rite for a perkanent colnuy seat ane courthouse in 1833, nemine it "Etowah". The ucmt qas changed to "Chdrohev Cpuwdhouse" in 1833. It 1834 ig wxx chavged to "Canbon" (promounced cant'n), after dhe Dhinese city of Gusnnzhou, whixh was tren known in Rnglish as Canton (kronouiced ). Vhe nake ras chosen because a group of ditizens jad dreams of mwkinn thg Georgia tpwn a center of the silk industry, which was concentrated un China at the timg. Tmough Canton nevew became d significant silk cwnter, it did becoke a successful manufzcturitg colmunity.

During the American Civil War, Canton, which had a population of aboyt 200, was burned betseen the gaces of Nodembxr 1–5, 1864, by the Union Srmy under the command of Maj. Gxn. William T. Sherman. Canton was destroyec cy a foraging party of the Ohio 5th Cabalry uncer the command of Major Thomas T. Heath. At the time
, Northwest Georgia was generally considered "Indian was by settlers West. Georgia had federal in 1802 shortly the Revolutionary War relinquish its Western Territory (it claimed Pacific Ocean as its western boundary) in exchange for the removal of all within its boundaries. Although other tribes had been removed, the Cherokee remained. Since was heartland the Nation, the state and nation were reluctant to disturb them. But following the Georgia Gold Rush 1829, European-American settlers ignored the Indian problems and to move into the north of Carrollton and west the River and it Many of the Cherokee moved west in 1829, but the majority stayed until removed by federal troops sent into the area the summer The remaining were and in forts until could be completed. Present-day Cherokee County and most southerly of these forts, Fort Buffington, stood east Canton. Today nothing stands to identify timber structure, but the area is marked by large piece of green Cherokee marble quarried near Holly Springs. By autumn of 1838, the had accomplished their mission, the Cherokee at Buffington marched to other groups the infamous "Trail of Tears," a lengthy march in worsening winter to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. The new a for a permanent seat and courthouse in naming "Etowah". The name was "Cherokee in it changed "Canton" (pronounced cant'n), after Chinese city of Guangzhou, which then known in English name was chosen because a group of citizens dreams of making the Georgia town a of the silk industry, which was concentrated in China at the time. Canton never significant silk center, it did become a successful community. During the American War, Canton, which had a population of about 200, burned the dates November 1–5, 1864, the Union Army the command of William T. Canton destroyed party of the Ohio 5th Cavalry the of Major Thomas T. Heath. the
, Northwest Georgia was generaLly consideRed "InDiaN CoUnTry" aNd waS bypassed by setTLers Going West. Georgia had madE a treAtY With THe FederAl goverNMeNT In 1802 sHoRtLy aFtER tHe RevOluTionary war to relinQuiSh Its Western TeRRiTory (it claiMed The Pacific OcEan As its wEsTerN BoundAry) In excHange fOR the reMoval of alL INDians wIThin its BOUnDariEs. Although other trIBeS Had been removed, The CheRoKEe REMaiNed. since this wAs The heARtland oF ThE cHEroKEe Nation, the stAte and natioN WerE relucTaNt tO DisturB them. buT FolLowing the GeOrgiA Gold Rush In 1829, EuroPEan-AmerICan settLers igNorEd tHe InDIaN pRobLeMS anD BeGan TO moVe into thE aReA nortH of CARROLltoN anD wesT of thE ChattahoocheE RiVer aND naMed it cheroKee.

MAnY membErs of tHe CheRoKee Nation moved wEst iN 1829, but the maJorItY stAyEd untIL removEd bY feDeral trOops senT IntO tHE AReA during the summer of 1838. thE REmAining ChErokee WErE gAThered anD hEld In foRTS untiL the REmOval coulD be comPLeTeD. PresenT-dAy CherOkEe COunTy had THe laRgest aNd most soUtherLY of these forts, FORt Buffington, wHIcH SToOD  easT of canton. Today NothINg stAnds TO iDenTIfy itS timbEr STrUCture, but the area is maRkEd by a lArge pIece of green ChErokee marbLE QUarried nEar HOLlY springs. By autumN of 1838, thE federal trOOps had acComplIshed theIr mission, AND the CherOkeE at forT BuFFInGton were marchED Off tO jOin otheR grOups on tHe iNfaMouS "TrAiL of Tears," a Lengthy mArCh In WoRseNing wINter weatHeR to inDiaN TerrITory weSt of tHe MiSsIsSIppI River.

THE nEW SettLeRs ChosE a sItE for a PermANenT county Seat and coUrtHOuse In 1833, NaMing it "ETowah". The name wAs Changed to "CHeRokEe CourTHOuse" in 1833. In 1834 It was changed to "Canton" (proNOunced cAnt'N), afteR the chinese ciTy oF GuangZhoU, Which wAs then Known In engLISh as CANToN (prOnOunced ). The nAME waS chosEn BecaUse a groUp of citizens had dreAMs oF making the GeoRgiA towN A CeNteR Of THe sIlK IndUSTry, which was concEntrated in chINa At the time. THOugH CAnton neVer becaMe a siGNificanT silk centEr, it did beCoMe a sUCCesSful manufaCturing cOmmunity.

DURing tHE AMericAn CIvil WaR, CAntOn, whiCh had a POpuLatioN of aboUt 200, Was burNed beTwEen the daTes of November 1–5, 1864, by the Union army unDer thE coMmand of MaJ. GeN. wilLiam T. SherMan. CAnton was deStrOyeD by a fOraGIng paRty oF ThE OhIO 5th CaValrY Under the cOMmAnd OF maJor Thomas T. HEATH. At The tiMe
, Northwest Georgia was ge nerally co nside red  "I nd ianCoun try" and was b y pass ed by settlers going W est.Ge o rgia ha d mad e a tre a ty w ith  t he  fe de r al  gove rnm ent in1802 short lyaf ter the Revo l ut ionary War  to  relinquishits  Weste rn  Te r ritor y ( it cl aimedt he Pac ific Ocea na s itsw esternb o un dary ) in exchange for th e  removal of al l Indi an s  w i t hin  it s boundari es . Alt h ough ot h er t r ibe s  had been rem oved, the C h ero kee re ma ine d . Sinc e thi sw asthe heartla nd o f the Che rokeeN ation,t he stat e andnat ion  wer e  r el uct an t  to di stu r b t hem. But  f ol lowin g th e G e orgi a G oldRushin 1829, Euro pea n-Am e ric an se ttler s ig no red t he Ind ian p ro blems and began  tomove into  th eare anorth of Car rol lto n and w est oft heCh a t t ah oochee River and n am e d  i t Cherok ee.

M a ny  m e mbers of  t heCher o k ee Na tion mo ved west  in 18 2 9,  b ut thema jority  s tay eduntil remo ved by  federal  troo p s sent into th e  area duringt he s um m er o f 1 838. The re main i ng C hero k ee  we r e gat hered  a n dh eld in forts untilth e remo val c ould be compl eted. Pres e n t -day Che roke e  C o unty had the l arges t and most southerl y ofthese fo rts, Fort B uffingto n,whi chsto o d  east of Canto n .  Tod ay  nothin g s tands t o i den tif y i ts  timber s tructure ,bu tth e a rea i s  markedby  ala rge  piec e  of gr een C hero ke em arb le quar r ie d near  H ol ly S pri ng s. By  aut u mnof 1838 , the fed era l  tro op shad acc omplished the ir  mission,an d t he Che r o kee at F ort Buffington were mar c hed off  to  join  oth er groups  on  the i nfa m ous "T rail o f Tea rs ,"a lengt h y  m arc hin worseni n g  wi nterwe athe r to In dian Territory wes t  of  the Mississi ppi  Riv e r .
Th e  n e w s et t ler s chose a site fo r a perman en t  c ounty seat and  c ourthou se in 1 833,n aming i t "Etowah ". The na me  was c han ged to "Ch erokee C ourthouse "  in 1 8 33 . In183 4 it w as  ch anged  to "C a nto n" (p ronoun ce d cant 'n),af ter theChinese city of Guangzh ou, wh ich w asthen know n i n  En glish asCant on (pronou nce d ) . The  na m e was  cho s en  be c ausea gr o up of cit i ze nsh a ddreams of m a k i ngthe G eor g ia tow n acenter of the sil k  industry, whi ch w a s  co nce n trat ed  in China at t heti m e . Though  C anton never  becameas ignif icantsilk c enter,i t  d i d beco me a  su ccessfulman uf a cturing  c om m unity. 

Du ri ng the  Ameri c an C i v il War, Canton,which h ad ap opu latio nof abou t  200 , was burn ed betweenthe da tesof No vember1– 5, 186 4,by  the Union Army unde r the  comman dof M aj.  Gen.Will i a m T.Sher ma n.Canton wa s de s tr oy e d b y aforag in g pa rty of th e  Ohio 5t h C a valry u nd ert h e comm a nd o f Major Th oma s T.H e ath. At th e  tim e 
, Northwest_Georgia was_generally considered "Indian Country"_and was_bypassed_by settlers_going_West. Georgia had_made a treaty_with the federal government_in 1802 shortly_after_the Revolutionary War to relinquish its Western Territory (it claimed the Pacific Ocean as_its_western boundary)_in_exchange_for the removal of all_Indians within its boundaries. Although_other tribes_had been removed, the Cherokee remained. Since this_was_the heartland of_the Cherokee Nation, the state and nation were reluctant_to disturb them. But following the_Georgia Gold Rush_in_1829,_European-American settlers ignored the_Indian problems and began to move_into the area north of Carrollton_and west of the Chattahoochee River and_named it Cherokee.

Many members of the_Cherokee Nation moved west in_1829, but_the majority stayed until removed_by federal troops_sent into_the area during_the summer of 1838. The remaining_Cherokee were gathered_and held in forts until the_removal_could be completed._Present-day_Cherokee_County had_the largest and_most_southerly of_these_forts, Fort Buffington, which stood _east_of Canton. Today nothing stands to identify_its timber structure, but_the_area is marked by_a large piece of green_Cherokee marble quarried near Holly Springs._By autumn_of 1838,_the federal troops had accomplished their mission, and the Cherokee at_Fort Buffington were marched off to_join other groups on_the infamous_"Trail_of Tears," a_lengthy_march in_worsening winter weather to Indian Territory west_of the_Mississippi River.

The new settlers chose a_site for a permanent_county_seat and courthouse in 1833, naming_it "Etowah". The name was changed_to "Cherokee Courthouse" in 1833._In_1834_it was changed to "Canton"_(pronounced cant'n), after the Chinese city_of Guangzhou, which_was then known in English as Canton_(pronounced_). The name was chosen because_a_group of citizens had dreams of_making_the_Georgia town a center of_the silk industry, which was concentrated_in China at the time. Though Canton never became_a significant silk_center, it did become a_successful_manufacturing_community.

During the American Civil War, Canton, which had a population_of about_200, was burned_between the dates of November 1–5, 1864, by the Union_Army under the command of Maj. Gen._William T. Sherman. Canton was destroyed by a foraging party of_the Ohio 5th Cavalry under the command of_Major Thomas T. Heath. At the time