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

Dipping Vat

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

1. Dipping Vat Marker

Inscription. Before discovery of a dip (1894) and vaccine (1898), the American cattle industry faced ruin, as it lost $40 million annually from cattle tick fever. In 1918, tick eradication began in East Texas, with colorful, exciting "dipping days" enforced every two weeks from spring to fall. Sometimes citizens resented the compulsory dipping, and dynamited vats or held shootouts with authorities. This dipping vat is typical of 50 built in Van Zandt County. It was on the property of G. M. Hilliard (1856-1931), pioneer rancher and merchant. His estate in 1968 sold this park site to the city of Canton.

Erected 1973 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11396.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 32° 32.499′ N, 95° 51.095′ W. Marker is in Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on Arnold Paul Road 0.3 miles south of Texas Highway 243, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Arnold Paul Rd, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Van Zandt County (approx. half a mile away); 1st Lt. Robert A. "Bob" Reese (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Veterans (approx. 0.6 miles away); Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); 1966 McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II #64-965 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Van Zandt County Poor Farm (approx. 0.7 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Canton (approx. one mile away); Hilliards of Canton (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

2. Dipping Vat Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 5, 2025

3. Dipping Vat

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.