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County Seat Stories & local character

Canton fought to keep its status as county seat

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.

Content last revised 2026-07-11

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Place pages in Van Zandt County

CantonEdgewoodEdomFruitvaleGrand SalineMabank

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