Ben Wheeler, Texas
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Ben Wheeler is an unincorporated community located in Van Zandt County, Texas (USA), twelve miles southeast of Canton (the county seat).
The area was first settled in the 1840's. Originally called Clough, the community was renamed Ben Wheeler in 1878. An 1893 fire destroyed most of the town's businesses. In 1896, the population reached 500, but a smallpox epidemic reduced the number of residents to 238 by 1904. Ben Wheeler had 18 businesses in 1943. This figure declined to only 9 by 1972, but rose to 22 by 1988.
In 2000, the community had 87 businesses and approximately 400 people. Current estimates put the population at slightly over 500.
The Van Independent School District serves area students.