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

Caldwell Walton Raines

(September 18, 1839 - August 2, 1906)

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, March 4, 2012

1. Caldwell Walton Raines Marker

Inscription. Born in Georgia, Raines came to Texas in 1858. After serving in Gen. R. M. Gano's Texas Cavalry Regiment in the Civil War, he was a teacher in New Braunfels and a lawyer in Canton. Van Zandt County Judge from 1876 to 1878, he played a major role in the infamous County Seat War of 1877. He published newspapers at Wills Point, Mineola, and Quitman. In Quitman he became Wood County Judge and was appointed State Librarian in 1891 by his friend Governor James Stephen Hogg. Raines rebuilt the neglected state library and began its invaluable collection of Texana from 1895 to 1899 and again from 1899 until his death.

Researched by Annette Herndon Plemmons

Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11435.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Communications • Education • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 32° 33.382′ N, 95° 51.775′ 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 left when traveling east. Located in front of

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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: Van Zandt County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Site of 1896 Van Zandt County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Oran Milo Roberts (a few steps from this marker); John H. Reagan (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac and Frances Van Zandt (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac Van Zandt (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixie Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Canton Herald (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Also see . . . Cadwell Walton Raines. The Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on April 3, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, March 4, 2012

2. Caldwell Walton Raines Marker

Marker located to the left of courthouse entrance and street sign.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2012, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.