Population66,130 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Market Days and Stories Across Northeast Texas
Van Zandt County, TexasVan Zandt County brings Canton and neighboring communities into a Northeast Texas setting with a recognizable market tradition. Canton is the county seat, and First Monday Trade Days provides a well-known reason to plan a visit. The event’s name does not describe its actual shopping days, so start with the official calendar. Beyond the market, the county’s history and individual towns offer other ways to understand the area and shape a visit.
Van Zandt County at a Glance
Population66,130 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatCanton
Largest CityCanton
Established1848
ZIP Codes13
Total Area860 sq mi (2,200 km 2 )
Major RoutesInterstate 20 U.S. Highway 80 State Highway 19 State Highway 64 State Highway 110 State Highway 198 State Highway 243
Area Code430 / 903
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Van Zandt County
Van Zandt County was established in 1848 and named for Isaac Van Zandt, a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. Canton became its county seat. The county is also associated with the name Free State of Van Zandt, but accounts differ over the phrase’s precise origin. Presenting that uncertainty preserves the distinction between local tradition and a settled historical explanation. The county’s communities and records offer a broader story than either its nickname or a single recurring event.
First Monday Trade Days in Canton operates on the Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of the month. Use the official calendar rather than arriving on Monday because of the name. The event’s visitor FAQs provide parking information and other practical details. A market visit can be the focus of a county trip, with other stops chosen around available time; a visit on a different weekend should be planned around separate destinations.
What Shapes Us
Canton
The county seat provides a starting point for local information and market visits. Plan around the particular destination rather than assuming every weekend has the same activity.
First Monday Calendar
Shopping takes place before the first Monday, from Thursday through Sunday. The official event calendar is the clearest guide to choosing the correct dates.
A Local Nickname
The Free State of Van Zandt name has several proposed origins. Treat it as a historical tradition whose explanation is debated rather than a single settled story.
Community traditions and market days give local journeys their character.
My Local Guide
Van Zandt County
Our County. Our Stories.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide
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News & resources for Van Zandt County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
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Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
County Treasurer
Treasurer’s office, county finances and public financial information.
Commissioners Court Information
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Van Zandt County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
East Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Grand Saline ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Martins Mill ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Wills Point ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Van Zandt County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Van Zandt County — AgriLife Extension — details and contacts
Hospitals
Emergency care in Canton; patients needing an inpatient stay may be transferred to a hospital. For an immediate emergency call 911.
County & local resources
CHRISTUS Emergency Room — Canton
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
County & local resources
Sheriff
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 3 serving Van Zandt County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Purtis Creek State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Purtis Creek State Park — Trails Information page
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
County Court at Law
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Justice of The Peace
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — 294th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — Precinct 1 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — Precinct 2 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — Precinct 3 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Van Zandt County — Precinct 4 Place 1 (Justice of the Peace)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Van Zandt County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Van Zandt County veterans service contact — 9035677985
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Canton is the county seat of Van Zandt County, Texas.
The county overview lists Canton as its largest community.
The total area is 860 sq mi (2,200 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Van Zandt County government website for county offices and public information.
The event operates Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month. Check the official calendar for exact dates. Official information.
The event’s official FAQs provide parking and other visitor information. Official information.
The county links residents to Van Zandt County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the county’s page for Van Zandt County — District Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Van Zandt County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the official Van Zandt County — Commissioners Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Office information is available through Van Zandt County — County Judge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Yesterland Farm — Plan a seasonal family outing; confirm attraction dates and tickets.
- Splash Kingdom — Cool off at the seasonal family waterpark; check operating dates.
- Cherry Creek Park Playground — Let children play at the shaded playscape.
Restaurants
- Downhome Cafe — Plan a cafe breakfast or brunch stop.
- El Sombrero — Consider a Canton breakfast stop.
- Ochoa’s — Explore a local option for a sit-down meal.
Shopping & Retail
- Timeless Treasures — Browse antiques along Trade Days Boulevard.
- East Texas Pickin’s — Explore another Canton antique-shopping stop.
- A Wicked Read — Browse a local book-shopping stop.
Clothing & Boutiques
- The Rancher’s Wife Boutique — Explore a boutique on South Buffalo Street.
- Brick + Brim Hat Co. — Browse a Canton hat-shopping destination.
- Factory Connection — Explore an apparel-shopping option listed by Canton tourism.
Outdoor Fun
- Cherry Creek Park — Walk a concrete path beneath the park’s trees.
- Mill Creek Reservoir — Plan a fishing outing; confirm current rules and access conditions.
- Old City Lake — Enjoy picnic areas and lakeside recreation; check current conditions.
Free Things To Do
- First Monday Trade Days — Browse the original market with free admission on scheduled weekends; parking costs extra.
- Cherry Creek Park Walk — Take a walk through the public park.
- Downtown Canton Stroll — Explore the square and window-shop from public sidewalks.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.