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 named for James Pinckney Henderson, the very first guv of Texas.
The city has actually functioned as a major crossroads in Northeast Texas over the last 2 centuries. Several significant highways go through business district of the town, consisting of 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 occasions in the city of Henderson include the Heritage Syrup Festival in November, celebrating 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 established by European Americans before the State of Texas was founded. It was developed on land contributed by W.B. Ochiltree and James Smith; it ended up being the county seat of Rusk County when an act of legislature developed Rusk County on January 16, 1843. The First Methodist and First Baptist Churches were developed in 1842 and 1845, respectively. Though a Baptist church was arranged in 1845, the current First Baptist Church was reorganized in 1850. [5] The first courthouse, made from wood, was finished in 1849. After the Civil War, the International and Great Northern Railroad crossed through Rusk County, however bypassed Henderson. In 1869, a White mob lynched five Black guys without trial, including two preachers, in the general public square outside the court house. [6] In 1874, the Henderson and Overton Branch Railroad Company built a stretch of railroad linking Henderson to the tracks running through Overton. This stretch of railroad was later on offered 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 court house was constructed in its place. This motivated the building of several other brick structures, consisting of the Howard Dickinson House, now a historic website.
In 1930, C. M. "Dad" Joiner generated the Daisy Bradford # 3 Discovery Well 6 miles northwest of Henderson. [7] The discovery of oil in October 1930 developed a thriving economy in the location, 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 provide a large part of the wealth of the town, county, and area.
During The Second World War, airmen cadets from the Royal Flying force, flying from their training base at Terrell, Texas, regularly flew to Henderson on training flights. The community served as a stand-in for the British for Dunkirk, France, which is the 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 structures, including 2 hotels, were damaged in the fire, for a loss of $220,000.
According to the Depot Museum, a man named John Crow remembered the fire as follows:
I was about eight years of ages when Henderson burned. I went to town with my dad the day after the fire. It burned every house as well as I recollect, except the Flanagan Brick Building. I remember I was barefooted and cautious not to burn my feet. My daddy said at the time they thought a fellow called Green Herndon, a union guy, had hired a negro lady to burn Henderson. Herndon was a northerner and was a pronounced opponent of secession. On the negro female's statement, a mob collected, tossed a loop around his neck, tied it to a saddle horse, which walked around the public square dragging Herndon to death. Then they hung the body to a tree and shot it filled with holes ... War was in preparation and people 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 distressed to go." [9]
John Crow was John Stephen Crow, born in Henderson on March 5, 1852 and died there on October 19, 1952. He is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery. His daddy, Moses Melton Crow, became part of a large group of family, friends, and neighbors who left the location of Henry and Clayton Counties, Georgia, and were early inhabitants 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 ranked twister struck Henderson. That day, several tornadoes had actually struck other areas in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The tornado rooted out trees, harmed buildings, and caused small damage to areas such as downtown, but no severe damage was taped. [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 an overall 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 located 3 miles west of downtown Henderson. [11]
Major highways
State Highway 64.
State Highway 42
State Highway 43
Highway 259
Highway 79
Demographics
Since the 2020 United States census, 13,271 people, 3,968 homes, and 2,752 families were living in the city.
As of the 2000 census, [2] 11,273 individuals, 4,350 homes, and 2,971 households were residing in the city. The population density was 947.6 people/sq mi (365.8/ km2). The 4,831 housing systems 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 2 or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 11.80% of the population.
Of the 4,350 households, 32.6% had children under 18 living with them, 51.3% were wed couples cohabiting, 13.7% had a female homeowner without any husband present, and 31.7% were not households. About 28.9% of all homes were made up of people, and 17.1% had somebody living alone who was 65 or older. The typical household size was 2.52, and the average household size was 3.12.
In the city, the age distribution 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 median age was 37 years. For each 100 women, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The mean income for a household in the city was $31,766, and for a household was $38,095. Males had a median earnings of $31,285 versus $19,473 for women. The per capita earnings for the city was $19,491.
Government
Local government
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is: [15] (as of 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 contracts for the operation of East Texas Multi-Use Facility in Henderson, housing over 2000 male and female state prisoners in treatment programs. The center is operated by the Management and Training Corporation. [17]
Federal federal government
At the federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Henderson is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is presently represented by Republican Nathaniel Moran.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
The Henderson Independent School District consists of 5 schools: Wylie Primary School, Wylie Primary School, Northside Intermediate School, Henderson Middle 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 champs in 2010. Many trainees are members of one or more athletic companies.
A very small part of the City of Henderson falls within the West Rusk ISD. [18]
Independent schools
The City of Henderson is also served by Full Armor Christian Academy, a nondenominational independent school.
Colleges
Henderson is the home of the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, a Missionary Baptist institution of the American Baptist Association. [19]
Media
Currently, seven media outlets and 2 newspapers lie in Henderson, consisting of the Kilgore News Herald (headquartered in the city), [20] as well as much more in the surrounding locations.
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 largest park in Henderson. It features a 15-acre lake, 3 fishing piers, a disc golf course, gardens, lighted pavilions, play areas, the Henderson Civic Center, and a plaza for concerts and occasions. [citation needed]
Fair Park covers 40 acres and functions 1.8 miles of walking routes, a skate park, a baseball field, tennis courts, playgrounds, a splash pad, and a pavilion. [21]
Libraries and museums
The Depot Museum rests on 5 acres, and includes a museum, a kids's discovery center, and numerous historical structures and structures, including a railroad depot, a dry goods store, a caboose, and a cotton gin. [22]
The Rusk County Library is situated in a historic structure at 106 East Main Street in downtown Henderson. [23]
Attractions
The Henderson Civic Theater is a neighborhood theater that places on live stage performances. It lies in historic downtown Henderson in the old Opera House structure. [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 uses tours.
Notable individuals
Archie Bell, lead vocalist 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 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, singer, actress, comic
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, died in Henderson
Paul Sadler, Henderson lawyer, previous state agent
General James Smith, basic in Texas Revolution, served in first Texas legislature
Mark White, previous guv of Texas
Harry Whittington, lawyer
Climate
The environment in this area is characterized by hot, damp summertimes and normally moderate to cool winter seasons. According to the Köppen environment classification, Henderson has a damp subtropical environment, Cfa on environment maps. [26]
Gallery
-.
Downtown Henderson
-.
Henderson Town Hall
-.
Henderson Municipal Court
-.
Central Fire Station in Henderson
-.
Former Bank of America structure in Henderson
-.
Calvary Baptist Church, Henderson
-.
First Baptist Church of Henderson
-.
South Main Street Church of Christ in Henderson
-.
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 initial 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 leaves out Latinos from the racial categories and appoints them to a separate category.
