County Seat

Quitman: The Small Town That Is Wood County's Seat of Government

Quitman has been Wood County's county seat since 1850 and is where you go for deeds, court filings, and most county government services.

Wood County History & Culture

Quitman sits in central Wood County and has served as the seat of county government since the county was formed. The courthouse, appraisal district, and tax office are all located here. The town's population is around 2,000.

Quitman is also notable for a local connection to Texas political history. A young James Stephen Hogg — who would become Texas's first native-born governor — lived in Quitman in the early 1870s and led the fight to deny a county bond subsidy to a railroad company. Hogg won, but the railroad then chose Mineola (not Quitman) for its depot, bypassing the county seat. Governor Jim Hogg City Park in Quitman is named in his honor.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Quitman, Texas

More Wood County notes

Property Tax Basics

Who Handles Property Taxes in Wood County

Two separate offices handle your property taxes — the appraisal district sets the value, and the tax assessor-collector sends the bill.

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Homestead Exemption

How to Lower Your Tax Bill with a Homestead Exemption

If your home in Wood County is your main residence, you likely qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces what you owe in property taxes.

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Ag Valuation

How Agricultural Land Gets a Lower Tax Value

Land used for farming, ranching, or timber in Wood County can be valued at its agricultural use — not its market price — which sharply reduces property taxes.

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Fishing Regulations

Fishing at Lake Fork: Special Rules You Need to Know

Lake Fork Reservoir in Wood County has strict catch rules for largemouth bass — most fish must be released, and only one trophy-size fish per day may be kept.

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