step back in time on the Historic Walking Tour.
Discover the stories behind every storefront on the Canton square — over a century of East Texas history, all within walking distance.
Two sides, one square, full of stories.
Our Historic Walking Map captures every building on the square. Click either side to view full size.
Want a printed copy?
Stop by our office at Old City Hall (290 East Tyler St.) to grab a free printed walking tour brochure — perfect for taking on the tour or sharing with friends.
Take the tour in three easy steps.
Start at the Courthouse
Begin at the Van Zandt County Courthouse at the heart of the square. From there, you can see almost every building on the tour.
Match the numbers
Use Side A to find numbered buildings on the square, then flip to Side B to read the history of each one — when it was built, who built it, and what it became.
Take your time
The full tour takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Stop into shops, grab a coffee, or rest on a bench along the way — Canton is meant to be enjoyed.
Preserving the past, powering the future.
Canton's historic square is more than a tourist destination — it's a living record of East Texas. Every storefront preserved, every building restored, and every story shared keeps this community connected to where it came from.
That's the heart of our work at the Canton Main Street Program. The Historic Walking Tour is one of the ways we share Canton's story with the world.