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County Seat War

Wills Point, Van Zandt County

Marker Text

Due to a surveyor's error, the county seat of Van Zandt County was located on private property in 1850. An election was called 27 years later because of discontent with the site. On May 28, 1877, County Judge Cadwell Walton Raines ordered court records moved to Wills Point from Canton. Many citizens objected, and about 200 armed men from around Canton marched on Wills Point. Governor R. B. Hubbard assigned militia troops to maintain order and fighting was averted. The records were returned in October 1878 and the county seat ultimately remained in Canton. (1997)

Marker Details

Address
Location Description SH 64 & CR 3415
Marker # 11392
Dedicated 1996
Size, Type 18" x 28"
Code counties; military topics; local law enforcement officer
Latitude, Longitude 32.69965, -95.991757

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