Another look at downtown Henderson
Henderson Municipal Court
Central Fire Station in Henderson
Bank of America in Henderson
Henderson is a city in Rusk County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,273 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rusk County.[3] Henderson is named for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
The city has functioned as a major crossroads in Northeast Texas over the last two centuries, with several major highways passing through the business district of the town, including 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 include the Heritage Syrup Festival in November, celebrating the east Texas tradition of syrup making, and the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention in August.
The city has a vibrant Historical District, with many buildings dating back to before the Civil War. The city has 19 historical markers, including homes dating from the 1880s, churches, and colleges. Downtown Henderson is one of the most dramatic and charming downtowns in the East Texas area. Colorful, canvas awnings highlight the ornate buildings which house Henderson's downtown merchants and offer shade to downtown shoppers visiting the various antiques stores, clothing stores, and dining facilities lining the Main Streets.
History
The city of Henderson is older than the State of Texas itself. Founded on land donated by W.B. Ochiltree and James Smith, the city became the county seat of Rusk County when an act of legislature created Rusk County on January 16, 1843. First Baptist and First Methodist churches were established in 1845. The first courthouse, made of wood, was completed in 1849. After the Civil War, the International and Great Northern Railroad crossed through Rusk County but missed Henderson. In 1874, the Henderson and Overton Branch Railroad Company built a stretch of railroad connecting Henderson to the tracks running through Overton. This stretch of railroad was later sold to Missouri Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific) and remains in use to this day.
In 1878, a fire destroyed the courthouse, and a brick courthouse was built in its place. This encouraged the construction of several other brick buildings, including the Howard Dickinson House, now a historical site.
In the early 1930s, C. M. "Dad" Joiner brought in the Daisy Bradford #3 Discovery Well six miles northwest of Henderson. The discovery of oil created a booming economy in the area, with the population increasing from 2,000 to over 10,000 in a few months. The oil fields in and surrounding Henderson continue to provide a large part of the wealth of the area.
Geography
Henderson is located at 32°9′14″N 94°48′10″W / 32.15389°N 94.80278°W / 32.15389; -94.80278 (32.153938, -94.802732).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.0 square miles (31 km2), of which, 11.9 square miles (31 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.92%) is water.
Major highways
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 11,273 people, 4,350 households, and 2,971 families residing in the city. The population density was 947.6 people per square mile (365.8/km²). There were 4,831 housing units at an average density of 406.1 per square mile (156.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.98% White, 22.34% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.80% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.80% of the population.
There were 4,350 households out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 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 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,766, and the median income for a family was $38,095. Males had a median income of $31,285 versus $19,473 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,491.
Government
Local government
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[5]
| Department |
Director |
| Mayor |
John Fullen |
| City Council |
Melissa Morton, Pat Brack, Thomas Ward, Scott Lee, Reginald Weatherton |
| City Manager |
Mike Barrow |
| Municipal Court Judge |
Rickey Turner |
| City Attorney |
David Brown |
| City Secretary |
Kelly Poovey |
| Police Chief |
Ronnie Walker |
| Deputy Fire Chief |
Rusty Chote |
| Public Service Operations Director |
Davis Brown |
| Public Utilities Director |
Randy Boyd |
| Finance Director |
Trina Freeman |
| Tourism/Main St. Director |
Suzanne Cross |
| Community Development Director |
Paul Duncan |
State government
Henderson is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Kevin Eltife, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Chuck L. Hopson, District 11.
Federal government
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison; Henderson is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
The Henderson Independent School District includes five campuses, Wylie Primary School, Wylie Elementary 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 an important part of Henderson, TX culture. A 3-A school, the Henderson Lions football team beat Chapel Hill, Texas to become state champions in 2010. Many students are a member of one or more athletic organizations, including Cheering Squad, Soccer, Basketball, Golf, Softball, Volleyball, Powerlifting, Baseball, Wrestling, Tennis, Track, and Majorette Squad.
Private schools
The City of Henderson is also served by Full Armor Christian Academy, a non-denominational private school.
Colleges
Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary at 1300 Longview Avenue in Henderson
Henderson is the home of the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, a Missionary Baptist institution,[6] which in 1958 awarded the clergyman, L. L. Clover his Doctor of Theology degree.[7]
Media
There are currently 7 media outlets and one newspaper located in Henderson, as well as many more in the surrounding areas.
Newspaper
Radio
AM stations
| Frequency |
Call letters |
Format |
Name |
| Stations Broadcast from Henderson |
| 1470 |
KWRD |
News/Talk |
FM stations
| Frequency |
Call letters |
Format |
Name |
| Stations Broadcast from Henderson |
| 100.7 |
KPXI |
Sports/Talk |
ESPN |
| Frequency |
Call letters |
Format |
Name |
| Stations Broadcast from Henderson |
| 102.7 |
KBLZ |
Hip-Hop/R&B |
|
Notable people
References
External links
|
|
|
| A |
|
|
| B |
|
|
| C |
|
|
| D |
|
|
| E |
|
|
| F |
|
|
| G |
|
|
| H |
|
|
| J |
|
|
| K |
|
|
| L |
|
|
| M |
|
|
| N |
|
|
| O |
|
|
| P |
|
|
| Q |
|
|
| R |
|
|
| S |
|
|
| T, U |
|
|
| V, W, Z |
|
|
State of 
