Why Van Zandt County is called the Free State

The nickname has at least three claimed origins. The first comes from 1848. That year, Van Zandt County split from Henderson County. The debts stayed with Henderson. Van Zandt started with no debt. Critics called it a 'free state' as a joke.

A second story comes from 1861. About 350 residents did not want Texas to leave the Union. They said: if Texas can leave the country, Van Zandt can leave Texas.

A third story is from the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Some residents said they were independent from state and federal control. The record does not settle which story is right. Together, they show how long the county has enjoyed its independent streak. The Texas State Historical Association lists all three versions in its Handbook of Texas entry.