County Origins

Denton County was created in 1846 and named for a preacher killed in a raid

The Texas legislature carved Denton County out of Fannin County in 1846 and named it for John Bunyan Denton, a preacher-lawyer who died in an 1841 raid.

Denton County History & Culture

John Bunyan Denton was a Methodist preacher and lawyer from eastern Fannin County. He was killed on May 22, 1841, during a raid against Natives in what is now northern Tarrant County. The county and its county seat both bear his name.

The legislature formed Denton County in 1846 from the large Fannin County territory. Early settlers moved in under an 1841 land grant. The county's first county seat was not Denton — it was a community called Pinckneyville, which was replaced by Alton less than two years later, and Alton was eventually replaced by Denton. Denton city was founded in 1857 specifically to serve as a central county seat.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Denton County

More Denton County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property taxes in Denton County

The Denton Central Appraisal District sets your property value; the county Tax Assessor-Collector sends the bill.

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Homestead Exemption

How to claim a homestead exemption in Denton County

Filing a homestead exemption with DCAD can lower your taxable property value if you live in the home you own.

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Ag Valuation

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on what it produces, not what it sells for

Qualifying agricultural land in Denton County is appraised at its farming productivity value, which is usually much lower than market value.

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Appraisal Protest

You can protest your Denton County appraisal if you think it is too high

Denton County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value each year through the Denton Central Appraisal District.

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