 On March 10, 1859 Van Buren became part of the newly created Carter County and on April 4 of that year, Van Buren was selected to be the county seat of Carter County.In 1867 the present site of Van Buren, located about one-half mile east and across the river from the original site, was purchased from Zimri A. Carter.Fifty acres of land were purchased from Zimri A. Carter for $475 and the deed given to Carter County commissioner James Snider.