Henderson, Texas
Encyclopedia
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
. 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.
, 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12 square miles (31.1 km²), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.92%) is water.
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.
by Republican Kevin Eltife
, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives
by Republican Chuck L. Hopson, District 11.
and Kay Bailey Hutchison
; Henderson is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert
.
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.
man, L. L. Clover
his Doctor of Theology
degree.
Rusk County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,372 people, 17,364 households, and 12,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 19,867 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 11,273 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Rusk County
Rusk County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,372 people, 17,364 households, and 12,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 19,867 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
. Henderson is named for James Pinckney Henderson
James Pinckney Henderson
James Pinckney Henderson was a United States and Republic of Texas lawyer, politician, soldier, and the first Governor of the State of Texas....
, the first governor of Texas
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
.
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
U.S. Route 79
U.S. Route 79 is a north–south United States highway. The route is a northeast-southwest diagonal, with both east–west segments and north–south segments equally mixed. The highway's northern terminus is in Russellville, Kentucky, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 68 and KY 80...
, 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
East Texas Musical Convention
The East Texas Musical Convention, now usually called the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention, is an annual gathering of shape note singers. Songs are sung a cappella from the Sacred Harp tunebook. The Convention was organized in 1855, and is the oldest Sacred Harp convention in Texas, and the second...
in August.
The city has a vibrant Historical District, with many buildings dating back to before the Civil War
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
. 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 SmithJames Smith (Texas General)
-Biography:Smith was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, on September 10, 1792. He served in the War of 1812, the Creek Indian Wars, and served as a lieutenant under Andrew Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. From 1819 until 1835, he fought in the Tennessee militia alongside Sam Houston,...
, the city became the county seat of Rusk County when an act of legislature created Rusk County on January 16, 1843. First Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
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
Columbus Marion Joiner
Columbus Marion Joiner was an American oilman. With A.D. Lloyd, a self-educated, self-proclaimed geologist, he discovered the largest oil field in the world up to that time, the East Texas oil field, in 1930 in Rusk County.-External links:*...
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 (32.153938, -94.802732).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 12 square miles (31.1 km²), of which, 11.9 square miles (30.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.92%) is water.
Major highways
State Highway 64
State Highway 42
State Highway 43
Highway 259
Highway 79U.S. Route 79U.S. Route 79 is a north–south United States highway. The route is a northeast-southwest diagonal, with both east–west segments and north–south segments equally mixed. The highway's northern terminus is in Russellville, Kentucky, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 68 and KY 80...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,273 people, 4,350 households, and 2,971 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,491.
Local government
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:| 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 SenateTexas Senate
The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the...
by Republican Kevin Eltife
Kevin Eltife
Kevin Paul Eltife is a businessman from Tyler, Texas, who is a Republican member of the Texas Senate. He was sworn in on March 5, 2004, as a result of a special election, to represent District 1...
, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
by Republican Chuck L. Hopson, District 11.
Federal government
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John CornynJohn Cornyn
John Cornyn, III is the junior United States Senator for Texas, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress....
and Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
; Henderson is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert
Louie Gohmert
Louis Buller Gohmert, Jr. is an American politician and current Republican U.S. Representative from Texas's 1st congressional district.-Life and career:...
.
Public schools
The Henderson Independent School DistrictHenderson Independent School District
Henderson Independent School District is a public school district based in Henderson, Texas .In 2006, voters approved a $22 million bond to build two new campuses — each more than in size — on about of land donated by the Wylie family of Henderson....
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
Henderson is the home of the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, a Missionary Baptist institution, which in 1958 awarded the clergyClergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man, L. L. Clover
L. L. Clover
Leander Louis Clover, known as L. L. Clover , was an American Baptist Association clergyman who in 1952 established Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary in Minden, Louisiana...
his Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy....
degree.
Media
There are currently 7 media outlets and one newspaper located in Henderson, as well as many more in the surrounding areas.AM stations
| Frequency | Call letters | Format | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stations Broadcast from Henderson | |||
| 1470 | KWRD KWRD (AM) KWRD is a radio station broadcasting an ESPN Radio format. Licensed to Henderson, Texas, USA, the station serves the Henderson-Longview-Marshall area. The station is currently operated by Hanszen Broadcasting of Carthage, Texas, pending purchase approval by the FCC.-External links:*... |
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 KBLZ KBLZ is a Rhythmic Contemporary radio station serving East Texas. KBLZ in Winona, Texas broadcasts at 102.7 MHz with an ERP of 9.3 kW. The station is part of a simulcast with KAZE, licensed to Ore City, Texas and serves the Longview area, which broadcasts at 106.9 MHz with an ERP... |
Hip-Hop/R&B | |
Notable people
- Archie Bell - lead singer for Archie Bell & the DrellsArchie Bell & the DrellsArchie Bell & the Drells was a R&B vocal group from Houston, Texas, and one of the main acts on Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records...
- Drew ColemanDrew ColemanDrew A. Coleman is an American football cornerback who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. Coleman was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- current cornerback for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Joe DelaneyJoe DelaneyJoe Alton Delaney was an American football running back who played two seasons in the National Football League . In his two seasons with the Chiefs, Delaney set four franchise records that would stand for over 20 years....
- late running back for the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Rickey DudleyRickey DudleyRickey Deshun Dudley , is a former professional American football player. A 6'6", 252-lb. tight end from Ohio State University, Dudley was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 1st round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
- former TE Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Sandy DuncanSandy DuncanSandra Kay "Sandy" Duncan is an American singer, dancer and actress of stage and television, recognized through a blonde, pixie cut hairstyle and perky demeanor...
- singer and actress - Ricky Lynn GreggRicky Lynn GreggRicky Lynn Gregg is a country music artist of Native American descent. Active between the years of 1993 and 2001, he has recorded three studio albums: two on Liberty Records and one on Row Music Group...
- singer - Captain Bill McDonald - legendary Texas RangerTexas Ranger DivisionThe Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
was reared in Henderson. - A. T. PowersA. T. PowersAustin Toliver Powers, known as A. T. Powers , was a leading figure from the 1930s to the 1970s in the theologically conservative American Baptist Association, based in Texarkana, Texas...
- ClergyClergyClergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man who lived in Henderson from 1952–1956, was pastor of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, and was a faculty member at Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary - Mark Wells WhiteMark WhiteMark Wells White is an American lawyer, who served as the 43rd Governor of Texas from January 18,1983-January 20,1987.-Biography:...
- former Governor of TexasGovernor of TexasThe governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...