Henderson is a city and the county seat of Rusk County, Texas, [4] United States. Its population was 13,271 at the 2020 census. Henderson is called for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.

The city has operated as a significant crossroads in Northeast Texas over the last two centuries. Several significant highways travel through the company district of the town, including U.S. Route 259, Texas State Highway 64, U.S. Route 79, Texas State Highway 43, Texas State Highway 42, and Texas State Highway 64

Annual events in the city of Henderson consist of the Heritage Syrup Festival in November, commemorating the East Texas custom of sorghum syrup making, and the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention in August including shape note music.

History

The city of Henderson was developed by European Americans before the State of Texas was founded. It was established on land donated by W.B. Ochiltree and James Smith; it became the county seat of Rusk County when an act of legislature produced Rusk County on January 16, 1843. The First Methodist and First Baptist Churches were established in 1842 and 1845, respectively. Though a Baptist church was organized in 1845, the existing First Baptist Church was restructured in 1850. [5] The first courthouse, made from wood, was completed in 1849. After the Civil War, the International and Great Northern Railroad crossed through Rusk County, but bypassed Henderson. In 1869, a White mob lynched five Black males without trial, consisting of two preachers, in the general public square outside the courthouse. [6] In 1874, the Henderson and Overton Branch Railroad Company developed a stretch of railway connecting Henderson to the tracks going through Overton. This stretch of railroad was later on sold to the Missouri Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific) and remains in use to this day.

In 1878, a fire ruined the courthouse, and a brick courthouse was built in its place. This encouraged the building and construction of a number of other brick structures, including the Howard Dickinson House, now a historical site.

In 1930, C. M. "Dad" Joiner brought in the Daisy Bradford # 3 Discovery Well 6 miles northwest of Henderson. [7] The discovery of oil in October 1930 created a booming economy in the area, with the population of Henderson increasing from 2,000 to over 10,000 in a couple of months. The oil fields in and surrounding Henderson, part of the high-producing, five-county East Texas Oil Field, continue to supply a big part of the wealth of the town, county, and region.

During World War II, airmen cadets from the Royal Flying force, flying from their training base at Terrell, Texas, routinely flew to Henderson on training flights. The community served as a stand-in for the British for Dunkirk, France, which is the exact same range from London, England, as Henderson is from Terrell. [8]

1860 Henderson fire

On August 5, 1860, a fire broke out and burned many of the booming town of Henderson. Forty-three buildings, consisting of two hotels, were ruined in the fire, for a loss of $220,000.

According to the Depot Museum, a man called John Crow recalled the fire as follows:

I had to do with 8 years old when Henderson burned. I went to town with my dad the day after the fire. It burned every home along with I remember, other than the Flanagan Brick Building. I remember I was barefooted and mindful not to burn my feet. My father said at the time they believed a fellow named Green Herndon, a union guy, had actually worked with a negro female to burn Henderson. Herndon was a northerner and was a noticable opponent of secession. On the negro lady's statement, a mob collected, threw a loop around his neck, connected it to a saddle horse, which went around the general public square dragging Herndon to death. Then they hung the body to a tree and shot it complete of holes ... War remained in preparation and individuals remained in fits of anger. When the war broke out, the males got all the files they could find and went to the blacksmith stores and made knives and swords. There was much laughter and I remember they said, "We'll whip those damn Yankees with axes and butcher knives. Everyone was nervous to go." [9]

John Crow was John Stephen Crow, born in Henderson on March 5, 1852 and passed away there on October 19, 1952. He is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery. His daddy, Moses Melton Crow, became part of a big group of household, friends, and neighbors who left the area of Henry and Clayton Counties, Georgia, and were early settlers in Rusk County. The surnames of these early settlers include Burks, Cates, Crow, Mitchell, and others.

2015 Henderson Tornado

On Memorial Day, May 25, 2015, an EF-2 rated tornado struck Henderson. That day, multiple tornadoes had struck other locations in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The tornado uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and caused minor damage to areas such as downtown, but no extreme damage was tape-recorded. [10]

Geography

Henderson is positioned along the ridge that separates the Sabine River watershed from the Neches River watershed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.0 square miles (31 km2), of which 0.1 sq mi (0.26 km2) of it (0.92%) is covered by water.

Transportation

Airports

The Rusk County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport situated 3 miles west of downtown Henderson. [11]

Major highways

State Highway 64.
State Highway 42
State Highway 43
Highway 259
Highway 79


Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, 13,271 people, 3,968 families, and 2,752 families were residing in the city.

As of the 2000 census, [2] 11,273 people, 4,350 homes, and 2,971 families were residing in the city. The population density was 947.6 people/sq mi (365.8/ km2). The 4,831 housing units averaged 406.1/ sq mi (156.7/ km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.98% White, 22.34% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 6.81% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.80% of the population.

Of the 4,350 families, 32.6% had kids under 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder without any partner present, and 31.7% were not families. About 28.9% of all families were made up of people, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The typical home size was 2.52, and the typical household size was 3.12.

In the city, the age circulation was 26.9% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 or older. The average age was 37 years. For each 100 women, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 women 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The typical income for a home in the city was $31,766, and for a household was $38,095. Males had a typical income of $31,285 versus $19,473 for women. The per capita income for the city was $19,491.

Government

Local federal government

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is: [15] (since 2011) [requirements update]

State federal government

Henderson is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Bryan Hughes, District 1, and in the Texas Legislature by Republican Joanne Shofner, District 11. [16]

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice agreements for the operation of East Texas Multi-Use Facility in Henderson, housing over 2000 male and female state inmates in treatment programs. The center is run by the Management and Training Corporation. [17]

Federal federal government

At the federal level, the 2 U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Henderson belongs to Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican Nathaniel Moran.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

The Henderson Independent School District consists of five schools: Wylie Primary School, Wylie Primary School, Northside Middle School, Henderson Intermediate School, and Henderson High School. The school mascot of Henderson is a lion, and the school colors are red and blue. School sports are a vital part of Henderson's culture. A 3-A school, the Henderson Lions football group beat Chapel Hill, Texas, to end up being state champions in 2010. Many trainees are members of several athletic organizations.

A very small part of the City of Henderson falls within the West Rusk ISD. [18]

Independent schools

The City of Henderson is likewise served by Full Armor Christian Academy, a nondenominational private school.

Colleges

Henderson is the home of the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, a Missionary Baptist organization of the American Baptist Association. [19]

Media

Currently, seven media outlets and 2 newspapers are located in Henderson, including the Kilgore News Herald (headquartered in the city), [20] in addition to a lot more in the surrounding areas.

Newspaper

Kilgore News Herald - Official site
The Henderson News


Radio

AM stations

FM stations

Culture

Parks and leisure

Henderson has six parks, covering 118 acres. The parks are: Fair Park, Lake Forest Park, Misner Park, Montgomery Park, Smith Park, and Yates Park.

Lake Forest Park covers 60 acres and is the biggest park in Henderson. It includes a 15-acre lake, 3 fishing piers, a disc golf course, gardens, lighted structures, playgrounds, the Henderson Civic Center, and a plaza for performances and events. [citation needed]

Fair Park covers 40 acres and features 1.8 miles of walking routes, a skate park, a baseball field, tennis courts, play areas, a splash pad, and a pavilion. [21]

Libraries and museums

The Depot Museum rests on 5 acres, and features a museum, a kids's discovery center, and numerous historic structures and structures, consisting of a railroad depot, a dry goods store, a caboose, and a cotton gin. [22]

The Rusk County Library is situated in a historic building at 106 East Main Street in downtown Henderson. [23]

Attractions

The Henderson Civic Theater is a community theater that puts on live stage efficiencies. It lies in historic downtown Henderson in the old Opera House building. [24]

The Veteran's Memorial lies at the Rusk County Courthouse and honors veterans from Rusk County. [25]

The Howard-Dickinson House is a Texas Historic Landmark that was integrated in 1855 and provides tours.

Notable individuals

Archie Bell, lead singer for Archie Bell & the Drells
Reagan V. Brown, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture from 1977 to 1983
Drew Coleman, cornerback for New york city Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions
Vernell Coleman, community organizer
Joe Delaney, late running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
Rickey Dudley, tight end for the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sandy Duncan, vocalist, actress, comedian
Trestan Ebner, running back for the Chicago Bears
Thomas S. Gathright, the first president of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas
Ricky Lynn Gregg, singer
Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt, Swedish painter, passed away in Henderson
Paul Sadler, Henderson lawyer, previous state agent
General James Smith, basic in Texas Revolution, served in first Texas legislature
Mark White, former governor of Texas
Harry Whittington, legal representative


Climate

The climate in this location is identified by hot, damp summers and generally moderate to cool winter seasons. According to the Köppen environment category, Henderson has a humid subtropical environment, Cfa on climate maps. [26]

Gallery

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Downtown Henderson

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Henderson City Hall

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Henderson Municipal Court

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Central Station House in Henderson

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Former Bank of America building in Henderson

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Calvary Baptist Church, Henderson

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First Baptist Church of Henderson

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South Main Street Church of Christ in Henderson

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VeraBank head office and branch at 201 W. Main Street in downtown Henderson

References

^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Henderson, Texas.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the initial on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ "First Baptist Church of Henderson Historical Marker (# 5401010983)". Texas Historic Sites Atlas.
^ "Documenting Reconstruction Violence". Equal Justice Initiative Reports.
^ Olien, Diana; Olien, Roger (2002 ). Oil in Texas, The Gusher Age, 1895-1945. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 170-171. ISBN 0292760566.
^ AT6 Monument.
^ "Rusk County and the Civil War". Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
^ "Storm Events Database - Event Details|National Centers for Environmental Information".
^ "Rusk County, Texas". www.co.rusk.tx.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
^ City of Henderson Proposed Budget 2010-2011 Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2011-1-20.
^ Abrams, Cameron (March 5, 2024). "Shofner Defeats Incumbent Clardy for Texas House District 11". The Texan. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
^ "East Texas Treatment (XQ)". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
^ Texas School District Locator (Map). Retrieved August 7, 2023.
^ "Texas Baptist Institute". Tbi.edu. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
^ "Contact The Kilgore News Herald". Kilgore News Herald.
^ "Park Information|Henderson, TX - Official Website". www.hendersontx.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ "Depot Museum". www.depotmuseum.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ "Rusk County Library". Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ Theatre, Henderson Civic. "Henderson Civic Theatre - Theater, Performing Arts, Live Theater". Henderson Civic Theatre. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ "Veterans Memorial - Visit Henderson Texas". www.visithendersontx.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
^ "Henderson, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ "Station: Henderson, TX". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ Note: the US Census deals with Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic classification. This table omits Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate classification.