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

Site of 1896 Van Zandt County Courthouse

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, February 21, 2026

1. Site of 1896 Van Zandt County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. In 1894, the Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved construction of a new brick courthouse at this site. Built between 1894 and 1896, it replaced a frame courthouse that had served the county since shortly after the Civil War. The noted San Antonio Architect J. Riely Gordon designed the 1896 courthouse in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Built on a Greek cross plan, it featured a three-story main structure and a six-story central tower with a copper eagle statue at the top. The building was torn down in the 1930s. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11443.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 32° 33.38′ N, 95° 51.786′ W. Marker is in Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is on East Dallas Street (State Highway 64) east of South Buffalo Street (State Highway 198), on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 E Dallas St, Canton TX 75103, United States of 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: Oran Milo Roberts (here, next to this marker); Van Zandt County Courthouse

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(here, next to this marker); Caldwell Walton Raines (a few steps from this marker); John H. Reagan (a few steps from this marker); Isaac and Frances Van Zandt (a few steps from this marker); Isaac Van Zandt (a few steps from this marker); Dixie Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Tull, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Van Zandt County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, March 4, 2012

2. Van Zandt County Courthouse

The marker is next to the flagpole.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, March 4, 2012

3. Site of 1896 Van Zandt County Courthouse Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.