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Welcome to Texas Genealogy Trails!
*Volunteers dedicated to putting free data online.*
This County Website is available for adoption.
If interested in joining our group, view our
Volunteer Information Page and
contact Kim.
[Basic webpage design knowledge and a desire to transcribe data is
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Van Zandt County was established by the
legislature in 1848 from part of Henderson County and named for
Republic of Texas leader Isaac Van Zandt. Sabine Lake (Jordan's
Saline) was named the county seat, a crude log courthouse was built,
and court was held for the first time in December 1848. In 1850 Wood
County was carved out of Van Zandt County, and the Van Zandt county
seat was moved to Canton. |
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Throughout the 1880s and 1890s the county was buffeted by a
succession of farm and associated political movements, including the
Grange, Greenback Party, and the Farmers' Alliance. The People's
Party, which ran on a strong pro-farmer platform, was particularly
influential, and by 1892 the local chapter had 300 members. Van
Zandt County was also the home base for Democratic reformer James
Stephen Hogg, who had served as district attorney for the district
including Van Zandt County from 1881 to 1884. |
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The decades of the 1880s and 1890s were a time of internal
improvements. A public school system was inaugurated, and between
1887 and 1890 twenty-five new schools were constructed. Telephone
service began 1892, and in 1896 a new courthouse was dedicated. Cities and towns
Ben Wheeler
(unincorporated)
Canton
Edgewood
Edom
Fruitvale
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Grand Saline
Martin's Mill (unincorporated)
Van
Wills Point
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ONLINE DATA |
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State Bird
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