On the first Monday of each month in the early 1850s, Judges Oran M. Roberts and Bennett H. Martin held court in Canton, drawing both townspeople and country folk. Because large numbers of people were present, court day also became the occasion for the common practice of auctioning stray horses. Before long, horse trading and selling were prevalent, and the day became known as "Hoss Monday." After a few years, First Monday Trades Day expanded to include all kinds of goods. In 1965, the city purchased these grounds for the monthly event.