14. Canton
The area where Canton is located today was first discovered by Anglo-European settlers in 1840. It took another 10 years before the settlement was first erected, with settlers coming from the town of Old Canton. They named their new home simply Canton.
In the 1870s, the town got in a dispute with the neighboring Wills Point about which town should be the seat of Van Zandt County. Wills Point had the railroad station going for them, but the Texas Supreme Court gave the county seat to Canton in the end.
Today, Canton is far more famous for the First Monday Trade Days. Every first Monday in the month, people from all over the state flock to the town for a day of trading. Today, these events bring as many as 300,000 people to the town every first Monday. This makes the event the biggest flea market in the United States. Even if you miss the First Monday Trade Days, you will still enjoy your stay in this beautiful little town with is unique charm and the historic feel that oozes out of every building in Downtown Canton.
