Editor's note: Donna Adams, principal of Ralph Bunche and Little River Preschool Centers, shared this summary of Frankie Shepherd's visit with Canton-Sixes Patch. Donna Adams, principal of Ralph Bunche and Little River Preschool Centers, invited former principal Frankie Shepherd to share the important history of Ralph Bunche School. Students learned that the school began as a wooden building and served first through 12th grade students in the African American community. It was first given the name of Hickory Log School, but the senior class of 1961 renamed the school after the United States …

For decades, the Canton Cotton Mill enjoyed success as a manufacturer of cotton fabrics and denim. With the emergence of polyester fabric, production at the Mill declined in the 1960s and 1970s and it closed in 1981. It is now an apartment community of lofts. For more information, go here.

Enon Cemetery was founded in 1837 as part of Enon Church, which would later become Woodstock First Baptist. The church was moved and the cemetery enlarged. In 2008, a committee was formed to make improvements to the cemetery. Through various partnerships with Preservation Woodstock, church groups and Surgance, the volunteers raised $5,000. They also made a census, established a grid with signage, removed trees and hauled away excess dirt. Plans are underway for driveway improvements, trash receptacles and construction of a pavilion or arbor.

This home was built around 1906. The current owners have completely renovated the structure and made extensive foundation repairs. They sanded and stained 6,000 square feet of heart pine flooring and unearthed the original brick pavers. They also repaired all 36 rope and pulley windows. Of that number, 33 have the original glass. All of the original wood siding was removed, numbered and flipped to encapsulate the lead paint. The extensive porches received new poles and railing, with extra care given to tongue and groove floors.  The structure is currently being used as a special event/wedding…

This home, considered to be a showcase of Victorian design, was constructed around 1900 and was occupied by the Anderson family for 65 years. It is located in Ball Ground and was a small working farm at one time. The interior walls in many areas of the house are beaver board, which is brought together and covered by batten board. Original fireplace mantles remain and a kitchen was added by enclosing one of the side porches. There are four outbuildings on the property, including a small barn, garage and what are believed to be a smoke house and a blacksmith shop.

The Hickory Flat Cemetery, located on East Cherokee Drive, was originally known as the Buring Ground. The land for the cemetery is thought to have been given by Major John McConnell, but no deed or record has been found. The oldest grave in the cemetery is from approximately 1850. The cemetery property passed from the McConnells to Worleys to Quarles heirs. In 1977, a perpetual trust was established for maintenance of the cemetery by relatives of those interred. The funds from the trust provide for the general care of the cemetery and families can provide more care for family grave sites. …

An excerpt from the History of St. Paul A.M.E. Church: "St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Canton, Georgia, started in 1897 with a group of members who were dedicated and committed to following Christ. A list of those who labored to build the first church structure located at N. Crisler Street includes Bro. Henry Ware, Bro. Sherman Jefferson, Bro. Ed Atkins, Sis. Saffire Garrison, Sis. Eliza Scott, Sis. Lena Green and Sis. Liza Palmer. These Christian soldiers worked tirelessly during the day, breaking only to go home for supper and then returned to work on the church building at night. They were not …

Dating back to the 1890s, Crescent Farm derived its name from the curved shape of the Etowah River winding through its 400 acres of rich bottomlands, forests and hills. It was also one of the South's premier pacer and trotter racehorse farms during the early 1900s. Although the farm's owner, Augustus Lee Coggins, also operated a large cotton farm and a significant mule brokerage operation, Coggins' passion was raising and racing his standard bred racehorses. He built the Rock Barn in 1906, with stone quarried from the Etowah River, to house his prize racehorses. His most famous pacer …

This photograph was taken early in the 20th century. No one is certain of the exact date. It shows a view of East Main Street looking toward the former R.T. Jones Library, which was originally a family home. The building was later torn down and replaced with what is now the Cherokee County Elections and Voter Registration Office.

The Bowling Alley Restaurant was located on the first floor of the Cantex Manufacturing Company Building. Young men were hired to stand the pins back up during each game. The building burned on June 29, 1955, when a boiler exploded in the basement. The fire destroyed a city block and the new Canton fire truck. Fire companies came from as far away as Gainesville to help put out the fire. One person was killed in the tragedy. A new building at 151 Main St. was finished at the site in 2010.