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

The Free State Stockade

Photographed by James Hulse, May 19, 2024

1. The Free State Stockade Marker

Inscription. In 1867, a group of citizens, resentful of Northern control of the State and county, attempted to secede from Texas and the U.S. General Philip Sheridan, Commander at New Orleans, sent federal troops to restore order – resulting in a battle, won by local citizens. When the men returned to Canton to celebrate, they were overtaken by federal soldiers and placed under guard in a log stockade near Canton for several months. W.A. Allen, using a knife hidden in his boot, cut off all the men's ankle restraints and they escaped. Some never returned. In memory of Don Plemmons

Erected by Free State Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 32° 33.634′ N, 95° 51.617′ W. Marker is in Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on North Trade Days Boulevard 0.1 miles north of East Dallas Street (State Road 19), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located along the highway at the gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 N Trade Days Blvd, Canton TX 75103, United States of

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America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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 walking distance of this marker: Edmund A. Wynne (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hillcrest Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Jefferson Towles (approx. 0.2 miles away); Canton: The Misplaced County Seat (approx. ¼ mile away); First Monday Trades Day (approx. ¼ mile away); Dixie Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Caldwell Walton Raines (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oran Milo Roberts (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Also see . . . Free State of Van Zandt. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Several explanations have been proposed for the origin of the name Free State of Van Zandt for Van Zandt County. The first is that
Photographed by James Hulse, May 19, 2024

2. The view of the Free State Stockade Marker along the highway
when Van Zandt and Kaufman counties were formed from Henderson County, all debts for the area were retained by Henderson County, and consequently Van Zandt County became known as a debt-free territory. Resentful politicians of Henderson County thereafter referred to Van Zandt County as a free state. Another explanation states that in 1861 some 350 residents attended a meeting to protest secession. They reasoned that if Texas could leave the Union, then Van Zandt County could leave the state of Texas. These people tried to organize a government until they were threatened with military intervention.

(Submitted on May 23, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.