Historical Markers in
Henderson County, Texas

1925 Henderson County Jail Allen Cemetery Antioch Cemetery Arthur C. Horton, M.D. Athens Athens Cemetery Athens Lodge No. 165 A.F. & A.M. Barker Cemetery Beck's Chapel Cemetery Black Jack Cemetery Brownsboro Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery Bruce Field Buffalo Bushrod W. J. Wofford Carroll Springs Cemetery Carroll Springs Methodist Church Cherokee Exodus from Texas Clinton Williams Murchison, Sr. Cockerell Hospital Coleman, Nat P., Home Cottonwood Cemetery Courts Under the Oaks Davis Cemetery Davis Reynolds Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett Durham Avant Echols Cemetery on Jennings Mountain Evans Chapel Cemetery Faulk-Gauntt Building Fincastle Fincastle Cemetery and Church First Baptist Church of Athens First Baptist Church of Malakoff First Baptist Church of Poynor First Baptist Church on Walker Street First National Bank First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Malakoff First United Presbyterian Church of Athens Goodgame Cemetery Goshen Cemetery Ham (Pauline) Henderson County Henderson County C. S. A. Henderson County Courthouse Henderson County Pottery Industry J.B. Henry "The Pea Man" Jess Sweeten John Crane John Matthews McDonald Joseph Thomas La Rue_Stella E. Parsons La Rue LaRue, J.T. & S.B. Parsons Leagueville Baptist Church Leagueville Cemetery Lee Powell Simpson Lightfoot-Miller Cemetery Lollar Cemetery Machinery From First Factory in Athens Malakoff Malakoff Man Meredith Campground and Tabernacle Moorehead-Melton Cemetery Morrison Chapel/La Rue Cemetery Mount Zion Baptist Church Mt. Providence Baptist Church Myrtle Springs Cemetery New York Baptist Church New York Cemetery Old Rock Hill Cemetery Owen Cemetery Payne Cemetery Payne Springs Methodist Church and Cemetery Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church Pioneer Oak Poynor Cemetery Providence Baptist Church of Tool Red Hill Cemetery Richard Columbus Fisher Rock Hill Cemetery Rome Cemetery Rounsavall Cemetery Rupert Talmage Craig Sand Flat Cemetery Science Hill Shelby Chapel Church and Cemetery Sid Williams Richardson Site of Blackshear/Fisher School Site of Centerville Site of Gum Creek School Site of Hawn Lumber Company Site of Old Normandy Smith Cemetery St. Paul Industrial Training School Steen Cemetery The Athens Review The Rev. Thomas Hunt Hall, M.D. The Trinity River Thomas Boucher Wood Family Cemetery Thomas Cemetery Trinidad Cemetery Trinidad Independent School District Union Cemetery United Methodist Church of Athens W. H. "Howdy" Martin Walnut Creek Community William P. Avant William Richardson Willow Springs Cemetery Wofford, Bush W., Home (RELOCATED) Wreay Cemetery Yarborough Home
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
Texas random facts
Henderson County, located in the northeastern part of Texas, has a rich and fascinating history. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. The land became a part of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was formally organized as Henderson County in 1846, named in honor of James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.

In the mid-19th century, Henderson County experienced a significant influx of settlers, mainly from the southern United States. These settlers primarily engaged in agriculture, taking advantage of the fertile soils and favorable climate to grow crops such as cotton, corn, and vegetables. The first county seat was established in Athens, which remains the county seat to this day.

During the Civil War, Henderson County, like much of the South, was affected by the conflict. Although there were no significant battles fought in the area, the war had a profound impact on the local economy and social fabric. Many men from Henderson County enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the war's aftermath brought significant challenges and changes to the region.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henderson County continued to thrive, with the agricultural industry playing a pivotal role in the local economy. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further bolstered economic development, facilitating the transportation of goods and increasing opportunities for trade. Over time, other industries such as manufacturing and healthcare also emerged. Today, Henderson County remains a vibrant community, preserving its rich heritage while embracing progress and growth.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Henderson County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Henderson County established as a county of the Republic of Texas.
  • 1850 - First census conducted, showing a population of 1,714.
  • 1851 - Athens becomes the county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - Henderson County residents participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1880 - Cotton production becomes a major industry in the county.
  • 1902 - The first oil well is drilled in the county, leading to the development of the oil industry.
  • 1930s-1940s - Henderson County experiences economic growth due to the construction of the Cross Lake Dam and the establishment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fish Hatchery and Fish Experiment Station.
  • 1960s-1970s - Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Lake are created, attracting tourism and real estate development.
  • 1987 - The Henderson County Courthouse is destroyed by fire but is rebuilt and restored.
  • 2000 - The population of Henderson County reaches 73,277.
  • 2019 - Henderson County celebrates its 173rd anniversary since establishment.