184 of 254 Van Zandt County Courthouse, Canton, Texas. County Population: 52,579
Van Zandt County, Texas
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"Van Zandt County covers 855 square miles, with altitudes ranging from 421 to 573 feet. The Neches River rises in eastern Van Zandt County, and the Sabine River forms part of the northeastern county line.
"Van Zandt County was established by the legislature in 1848 from part of Henderson County and named for Republic of Texas leader Isaac Van Zandt. Sabine Lake (Jordan's Saline) was named the county seat, a crude log courthouse was built, and court was held for the first time in December 1848. In 1850 Wood County was carved out of Van Zandt County, and the Van Zandt county seat was moved to Canton. "In 1873 ... the Texas and Pacific Railway was completed through the northern portion of the county. The railroad, however, brought new problems as well. Wills Point, which grew up as railroad point, quickly emerged as one of the county's leading shipping centers. In 1877 an election was held for relocating the county seat from Canton to Wills Point. "Wills Point was declared to be the county seat." The commissioners court ordered county records removed from Canton to Wills Point, but a force of 500 men led by Thomas Jefferson Towles marched on the town to bring the records back. Governor Richard B. Hubbard had to order troops into the county to restore order. A short time later the supreme court ruled the election void and ordered the records were returned to Canton, ending the so-called 'Wills Point War.' " Gerald F. Kozlowski, "VAN ZANDT COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online I visited Van Zandt County and photographed the courthouse in Canton on Saturday, July 13, 2013. |
Van Zandt County Courthouse 1894
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Architect James Riely Gordon designed the 1894 courthouse, using his ubiquitous diagonal axis plan and Richardsonian Romanesque style. Compare this building, demolished in 1935, to Comal, Ellis, Gonzales, Hopkins, Lee, and Wise county courthouses by Gordon. The loss of this historic courthouse was very unfortunate. 
The cornerstone and eagle from the historic 1894 courthouse are displayed on the southeast corner of the courthouse square.
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Van Zandt County Courthouse 1936
Image courtesy courthousehistory.com
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Photograph, circa 1939, courtesy TXDOT
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Architects Voelcker & Dixon, in association with M.T. Clements, designed this replacement for the James Riely Gordon courthouse. The style is decidedly "Moderne Federal," typical of the 1930's approach to creating iconic civic buildings that were at heart, functional and rational office buildings with a massing and style that acknowledged the monumental without resorting to traditional historic styles.
The courthouse faces north and slightly east, on Dallas Street
The building sits on a raised plinth, creating a level site
The front is sufficiently solemn and symmetrical, befitting a civic building
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The courthouse steps
View from the courthouse steps, on Dallas Street
The northwest corner of the courthouse, at the intersection of Dallas and Buffalo Streets
The southwest corner of the courthouse square, at the intersection of Buffalo and Tyler Streets
The southwest corner of the courthouse
The west doors of the courthouse
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The south side of the courthouse is the "back"
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The west façade of the courthouse, on Buffalo Street
The south façade of the courthouse, on Tyler Street
A courthouse annex on Groves Street
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A partial view of the First Monday grounds in Canton