Canton in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
George Washington Tull, Sr.
Photographed By Brian Anderson, November 20, 2021
1. George Washington Tull, Sr. Marker
Inscription.
George Washington Tull, Sr. (1827-1917), better known as G. W. Tull, was one of the earliest and most successful merchants in Canton. His family migrated from Georgia, where G. W. was born, to Alabama, Mississippi, and then Tennessee. In 1852, G. W. moved to Texas, then traveled west to California in hopes of striking gold. He returned to Canton in 1858 with his savings and partnered with William B. Moore to start a mercantile business on the courthouse square. Tull and Moore’s Grocery and Saloon was known as “Our House.” In 1860, Tull bought Moore’s stake and became sole owner. He served as a Confederate army private during the Civil War, then returned to operate his mercantile store for more than fifty years until his death. His son, George Washington Tull, Jr., also known as G. W. Tull, inherited the business in 1917 and ran it until his own death in 1957, nearly a century after it opened., George Washington Tull, Sr. shepherded the development of Canton in its formative years. His store was the anchor of the commercial district and outlasted many other businesses. In 1872, after Van Zandt County Commissioners deemed all bids for a new courthouse insufficient, the court contracted with Tull to build the new courthouse, then reimbursed him. He owned several commercial and rural properties, built the first brick store building in 1892, and helped develop Canton’s commercial district. Tull was married three times and twice widowed, fathering fourteen children. He overcame many of the hardships and losses typically associated with frontier development. Tull was noted as being a generous man. Though regarded as the wealthiest man in Canton, Tull was called “the poor man’s friend.” He believed that his financial success depended on steadfast integrity, diligence, and prudence. . This historical marker was erected in 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Canton in Van Zandt County Texas
George Washington Tull, Sr. (1827-1917), better known as G. W. Tull, was one of the earliest and most successful merchants in Canton. His family migrated from Georgia, where G. W. was born, to Alabama, Mississippi, and then Tennessee. In 1852, G. W. moved to Texas, then traveled west to California in hopes of striking gold. He returned to Canton in 1858 with his savings and partnered with William B. Moore to start a mercantile business on the courthouse square. Tull and Moore’s Grocery and Saloon was known as “Our House.” In 1860, Tull bought Moore’s stake and became sole owner. He served as a Confederate army private during the Civil War, then returned to operate his mercantile store for more than fifty years until his death. His son, George Washington Tull, Jr., also known as G. W. Tull, inherited the business in 1917 and ran it until his own death in 1957, nearly a century after it opened.
George Washington Tull, Sr. shepherded the development of Canton in its formative years. His store was the anchor of the commercial district and outlasted many other businesses. In 1872, after Van Zandt County Commissioners deemed all bids for
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a new courthouse insufficient, the court contracted with Tull to build the new courthouse, then reimbursed him. He owned several commercial and rural properties, built the first brick store building in 1892, and helped develop Canton’s commercial district. Tull was married three times and twice widowed, fathering fourteen children. He overcame many of the hardships and losses typically associated with frontier development. Tull was noted as being a generous man. Though regarded as the wealthiest man in Canton, Tull was called “the poor man’s friend.” He believed that his financial success depended on steadfast integrity, diligence, and prudence.
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16825.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 32° 33.361′ N, 95° 51.822′ W. Marker is in Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County. Marker is at the intersection of South Buffalo Street (State Highway 198) and West Tyler Street, on the right when traveling south on South Buffalo Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 171 South Buffalo Street, Canton TX 75103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Canton Herald (within shouting distance of this marker); Hilliards of Canton (within shouting
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2021, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.
George Washington Tull, Sr. (1827-1917), better known as G. W. Tull, was one of the earliest and most successful merchants in Canton. His family migrated from Georgia, where G. W. was born, to Alabama, Mississippi, and then Tennessee. In 1852, G. W. moved to Texas, then traveled west to California in hopes of striking gold. He returned to Canton in 1858 with his savings and partnered with William B. Moore to start a mercantile business on the courthouse square. Tull and Moore’s Grocery and Saloon was known as “Our House.” In 1860, Tull bought Moore’s stake and became sole owner. He served as a Confederate army private during the Civil War, then returned to operate his mercantile store for more than fifty years until his death. His son, George Washington Tull, Jr., also known as G. W. Tull, inherited the business in 1917 and ran it until his own death in 1957, nearly a century after it opened.
