Wills Point in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

County Seat War

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 7, 2024

1. County Seat War Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11392.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.

Location. 32° 41.965′ N, 95° 59.5′ W. Marker is in Wills Point, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is at the intersection of Houston Street (County Road 3415) and Corky Boyd Avenue (State Highway 64), on the right when traveling east on Houston Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wills Point TX 75169, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: William A. Wills (here, next to this marker); Dallas-Shreveport Road (here, next to this marker); White Rose Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fin & Feather Hunting and Fishing Club (approx. half a mile away); Russell Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); McKain Family Home (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Christian Church of Wills Point (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wills Point.

Photographed by Jason Sullivan, April 12, 2024

2. County Seat War Marker

The County Seat War, Dallas-Shreveport Road and William A. Wills Markers are grouped together.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2. submitted on April 20, 2024, by Jason Sullivan of Arlington, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.