Van Zandt County
County
The Van Zandt County Courthouse in Canton
The Van Zandt County Courthouse in Canton
Map of Texas highlighting Van Zandt County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°34′N 95°50′W / 32.56°N 95.84°W / 32.56; -95.84
Country United States
State Texas
Founded1848
Named forIsaac Van Zandt
SeatCanton
Largest cityCanton
Area
 • Total860 sq mi (2,200 km2)
 • Land843 sq mi (2,180 km2)
 • Water17 sq mi (40 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total59,541
 • Density69/sq mi (27/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.vanzandtcounty.org
The Van Zandt County Library is located next to the Blackwell House Museum in Canton, Texas.

Van Zandt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas, in the northeastern part of the state. As of the 2020 census, its population was 59,541.[1] Its county seat is Canton.[2] The county is named for Isaac Van Zandt (1813–1847), a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas.[3]

History

Van Zandt County is commonly known as the Free State of Van Zandt. The title was particularly prevalent through the Reconstruction Era, but is still in use today. Many versions of the county's history may account for this moniker, and historians, even within the county and throughout its existence, do not agree how exactly it became known as the Free State.

One story of how the Free State of Van Zandt came to be originates with the county's formation. In 1848, Henderson County was split into three counties: Kaufman, Van Zandt, and what remained as Henderson County.[4] Henderson County had been deeply in debt, yet the new Van Zandt County was founded without any obligations.[5] Many believed that this was a mistake on the state's part,[6] and bitter citizens and politicians from Henderson County referred to the new county as the Free State.[7]

Van Zandt County tried on two distinct occasions to separate itself from Texas. The first was in 1861 when Texas seceded from the United States. About 350 citizens of Van Zandt County met to protest the secession.[5] The practice of slavery was infrequent in the county. Slave owners, worried about losing their slaves in the Civil War, refused to bring their slaves to Van Zandt, because slavery was so uncommon there.[5][8] The majority of Van Zandt wanted to stay with the Union,[9] and reasoned that if Texas could secede from the United States, they could secede from Texas, and began organizing a government until they were threatened with military intervention.[10] Although the secession was unsuccessful, the title of "Free State" stuck.

After Texas re-entered the Union after the Civil War, Van Zandt County again tried to secede from Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.[10] A convention was held in 1867 in which the citizens elected delegates, and the delegates voted for secession, and penned a Declaration of Independence modeled after the United States Declaration of Independence.[11] The event was seen as a rebellion by the nation, and when word reached General Sheridan, he dispatched a cavalry unit to quell it.[10] The citizens of Van Zandt called an emergency meeting that ended with the delegates declaring war on the United States.[11] The wooded landscape at the time made moving difficult for horses,[6] so the citizens of Van Zandt, familiar with the area, were able to ambush the unit, until they retreated.[10] The citizens, elated with their victory, celebrated with an excess of alcohol.[6][10] During their celebration, they were surrounded by Sheridan's troops, and were put in anklets and in a rough prison of wooden posts.[11] Two ex-Confederate soldiers, W.A. Allen and Hardy Allen,[6] were in the group, and W.A. Allen used a hidden knife to wear down the anklets.[10] A combination of the beginning of the rainy season [10] and a decreasing of the guard to one man [6] allowed the prisoners to easily escape. After that, not much action on the part of Van Zandt or the United States was taken in the issue. Arrest warrants were sent, but none was carried out, and none of the prisoners went to trial.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 860 sq mi (2,200 km2), of which 17 square miles (44 km2) (2.0%) are covered by water.[12] Van Zandt County is unique in topography. The western and northwestern parts of the county are in the eastern edge of the Texas Blackland Prairies, the central part of the county is located in the post oak belt of Northeast Texas, and the eastern part of the county stretches into the East Texas Piney Woods. Two major rivers, the Neches and the Sabine, flow through Van Zandt County. Van Zandt County is referred to as the "Gateway to East Texas" due to its diverse topography.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

  • Cana
  • Clifton
  • Clower
  • Corinth
  • Denman Crossroads
  • Elwood
  • Four Mile Prairie
  • Holly Springs
  • Jackson
  • Jones
  • Lawrence Springs
  • Mars
  • Odom
  • Owlet Green
  • Pruitt
  • Redland
  • Roddy
  • Sand Flat
  • Scott
  • Small
  • Wallace
  • Watkins
  • Whitton

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,348—
18603,777180.2%
18706,49471.9%
188012,61994.3%
189016,22528.6%
190025,48157.0%
191025,6510.7%
192030,78420.0%
193032,3155.0%
194031,155−3.6%
195022,593−27.5%
196019,091−15.5%
197022,15516.0%
198031,42641.8%
199037,94420.7%
200048,14026.9%
201052,5799.2%
202059,54113.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1850–2010[14] 2010[15] 2020[16]
Demographic Profile of Van Zandt County, Texas
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 45,087 47,986 85.75% 80.59%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,403 1,517 2.67% 2.55%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 371 328 0.71% 0.55%
Asian alone (NH) 168 272 0.32% 0.46%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 32 30 0.06% 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 15 133 0.03% 0.22%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 656 2,204 1.25% 3.70%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,847 7,071 9.22% 11.88%
Total 52,579 59,541 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

As of the census of 2000,[17] 48,140 people, 18,195 households, and 13,664 families resided in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). The 20,896 housing units averaged 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.96% White, 2.94% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 2.74% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. About 6.65% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 18,195 households, 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were not families. Around 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was distributed as 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,029, and for a family was $41,175. Males had a median income of $31,887 versus $21,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 10.30% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

These school districts serve Van Zandt County:

Media

The only radio station licensed to Van Zandt County is KWJB broadcasting on 1510 AM and 95.1 FM. Van Zandt County receives outlying signals on the outer signal edges of Dallas/Fort Worth DMA. Local media outlets are: KDFW-TV, KXAS-TV, WFAA-TV, KTVT-TV, KERA-TV, KTXA-TV, KDFI-TV, KDAF-TV, and KFWD-TV. Other nearby stations that provide coverage for Van Zandt County come from the Tyler/Longview/Jacksonville market and they include: KLTV, KYTX-TV, KFXK-TV, KCEB-TV, and KETK-TV.

Newspapers and publications

  • Canton Herald
  • Wills Point Chronicle
  • Canton Guide
  • Van Zandt County News
  • East Texas Homes and Farms

Government and politics[18]

County commissioners[19]

Office Name Party
  County judge Don Kirkpatrick Republican
  Commissioner, precinct 1 Brandon Brown Republican
  Commissioner, precinct 2 Virgil Melton, Jr. Republican
  Commissioner, precinct 3 Keith Pearson Republican
  Commissioner, precinct 4 Tim West Republican

County officials

Office Name Party
  County clerk Susan Strickland Republican
  Sheriff Steve Hendrix Republican
  Tax assessor-collector Shirley Chisham Republican
  Treasurer Kenny Edwards Republican
United States presidential election results for Van Zandt County, Texas[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 22,270 85.56% 3,516 13.51% 243 0.93%
2016 18,473 84.39% 2,799 12.79% 618 2.82%
2012 15,794 82.69% 3,084 16.15% 222 1.16%
2008 15,734 77.15% 4,505 22.09% 156 0.76%
2004 14,976 75.42% 4,822 24.28% 58 0.29%
2000 12,383 69.21% 5,245 29.32% 263 1.47%
1996 7,453 49.60% 5,752 38.28% 1,821 12.12%
1992 5,810 35.44% 5,310 32.39% 5,276 32.18%
1988 7,371 54.36% 6,153 45.38% 35 0.26%
1984 8,474 65.17% 4,506 34.65% 23 0.18%
1980 5,495 48.46% 5,707 50.33% 138 1.22%
1976 3,385 34.20% 6,449 65.15% 64 0.65%
1972 4,839 71.33% 1,939 28.58% 6 0.09%
1968 1,954 28.94% 2,706 40.08% 2,091 30.97%
1964 1,614 28.44% 4,047 71.30% 15 0.26%
1960 2,120 42.68% 2,825 56.88% 22 0.44%
1956 2,142 42.25% 2,919 57.57% 9 0.18%
1952 2,279 36.74% 3,911 63.05% 13 0.21%
1948 578 13.29% 3,264 75.03% 508 11.68%
1944 503 11.96% 3,139 74.65% 563 13.39%
1940 721 12.62% 4,975 87.05% 19 0.33%
1936 245 6.94% 3,257 92.24% 29 0.82%
1932 190 4.29% 4,203 94.92% 35 0.79%
1928 1,502 45.35% 1,789 54.02% 21 0.63%
1924 0 0.00% 3,957 100.00% 0 0.00%
1920 728 22.71% 1,958 61.07% 520 16.22%
1916 232 7.92% 2,040 69.60% 659 22.48%
1912 110 3.87% 1,790 62.90% 946 33.24%

Transportation

Airports

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Van Zandt County, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ History of Van Zandt County (Van Zandt County History Book Committee. Dallas, Texas: 1984)
  4. ↑ Elvis Allen, "Building A County: One Hundred Fifty Years of Van Zandt County"(http://vanzandttx.org/History.htm), updated April 22, 2009, accessed May 25, 2015
  5. 1 2 3 Gerald F. Kozlowski, "FREE STATE OF VAN ZANDT," Handbook of Texas Online (https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/pdf01), accessed May 21, 2015. Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 William Samuel Mills, "History of Van Zandt County", Canton, Texas, 1950
  7. ↑ Southland newspaper, 1904, Sibyl Creasey, ""Free State" of Van Zandt", Van Zandt County Genealogical Society (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txvzcgs/vzgsfree.htm), accessed May 21, 2015. Uploaded August 04, 2007
  8. ↑ Wentworth Manning, "Some History of Van Zandt County", Mountain Press, 1919
  9. ↑ Canton Herald, 1931, Sibyl Creasey, ""Free State" of Van Zandt", Van Zandt County Genealogical Society (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txvzcgs/vzgsfree.htm), accessed May 21, 2015. Uploaded August 04, 2007.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Canton Texas, History (http://www.cantontx.gov/about/history Archived 2015-05-20 at the Wayback Machine), 2010, accessed May 25, 2015
  11. 1 2 3 Thomas Ayres, "That's Not in My American History Book: A Compilation of Little-known Events and Forgotten Heroes", Taylor Trade Publishing, 2000, pg 40-42
  12. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  15. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Van Zandt County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  16. 1 2 "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Van Zandt County, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Van Zandt County 2018 General Elections Results" (PDF). www.newtools.cira.state.tx.us. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Van Zandt County Commissioners' Court". www.vanzandtcounty.org. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

Sources

  • Clausen, C. A. ed., The Lady with the Pen: Elise Wærenskjold in Texas (Northfield, Minnesota: Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1961)
  • Hall, Margaret Elizabeth A History of Van Zandt County (Austin, Texas: Jenkins, 1976)

32°34′N 95°50′W / 32.56°N 95.84°W / 32.56; -95.84

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