County Seat

Canton fought to keep its status as county seat

When the railroad bypassed Canton in 1872, a rival town tried to take the county seat — and Canton's residents armed themselves to fight back.

Van Zandt County History & Culture

The Texas and Pacific Railway missed Canton by about ten miles when it was built in 1872. Wills Point, which sat on the rail line, pushed to become the new county seat. County officials briefly moved there. In 1877, Canton residents traveled armed to Wills Point and took back the county records. The Texas Supreme Court eventually ruled in Canton's favor.

Canton has been the county seat ever since. The town was incorporated in 1919 and today sits on State Highways 19 and 64. The TSHA Handbook of Texas entry on Canton documents this dispute in detail.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Canton, Texas

More Van Zandt County notes

Property Tax

Who handles property taxes in Van Zandt County

The Van Zandt Appraisal District sets property values, but the appraisal district itself also collects most local property taxes.

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Homestead Exemption

Save money with a homestead exemption

If your home is your main residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that lowers your property tax bill.

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Agricultural Valuation

Ag valuation can sharply lower land taxes

Landowners who actively farm or ranch can apply to have their property taxed on its agricultural productivity instead of its market value.

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Right to Farm

Farming neighbors are legally protected from nuisance suits

Texas law protects established farm and ranch operations from nuisance lawsuits, which matters in this agricultural county.

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