Henderson in Rusk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The 1860 Henderson Fire
By the time the fire in Henderson burned the entire business district of the town, people all over the state were ready to fight for their way of life. This fire is argued to be what ignited Texan secession. By September of 1860, news of the Henderson fire had reached all over the country, from New York City to San Francisco. Fifty-two citizens were selected in Henderson to investigate the fire, and they hanged Green Herndon and his female slave for setting the fire. Evidence of guilt or innocence is unknown.
Louis T. Wigfall wasted no time using the fire to rally Texans to the banner of secession. “The secession flood in Texas” was too strong for leaders like Sam Houston to resist, and a draft of Texas’ formal Declaration of Causes for Secession was drawn up by Texas delegates, among them Rusk County’s Malcom D. Graham. Graham laid the blame for the fire on northern abolitionists and their political allies. The delegates approved Graham’s Declaration and when compiling a chronology of events leading to secession, listed the burning of Henderson first, as the end of the Union in Texas.
Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17979.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters.
Location. 32° 9.203′ N, 94° 47.958′ W. Marker is in Henderson, Texas, in Rusk County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Main Street on East Main Street. Heritage Square, at the intersection of North and South Main Streets with East and West Main Streets in the center of Henderson. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 East Main St, Henderson TX 75652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Henderson (a few steps from this marker); Masonic Lodge Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Merritt Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas J. Rusk (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardeman-Griffin House (approx. ¼ mile away); Gaston Public School Complex (approx. 5.7 miles away); Commemorating The Daisy Bradford #3 (approx. 5.8 miles away); The First Well in the East Texas Oil Field (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.