On East Main Street at North Main Street on East Main Street.
The fire of August 5, 1860 in Henderson, Texas, marked the beginning of the end of the Union in Texas. As a successful agricultural and commercial center, Henderson was one of the most important cities in Texas. Fires erupted all over Texas . . . — — Map (db m221474) HM
On County Road 266 0.1 miles south of State Road 43, on the left when traveling west.
A group of freedpersons established the Antioch community when they organized Antioch Baptist Church in 1866. The congregation planted five other area churches between 1884 and 1914, and served as a focal point of the settlement. Another important . . . — — Map (db m268601) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
Prominent Henderson businessman and civic leader John R. Arnold moved his family to this property in 1908. He added a second story to the home (razed in 1966) that already existed at the site. He also built a number of structures around the . . . — — Map (db m268931) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
This board-and-batten, five-room, dog-trot house, built in 1884, has been restored to its appearance in 1900. It was built at Church Hill by Robert Augustus Beall and wife, Ida Jane Peek Beall. Four of their seven children were born in this . . . — — Map (db m268927) HM
On County Road 314 near County Road 376W, on the right when traveling south.
This burial ground, named for the community that organized near Bethel Springs was associated with a school and Methodist church. The earliest marked grave dates to 1879, though it is believed there are earlier interments. Features include Woodmen . . . — — Map (db m268848) HM
On Business U.S. 79 at County Route 341, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 79Business .
Blossom Hill United Methodist Church was established in 1879, when Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Patterson donated the first church property. The church was first known as Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church and was the first church established in the . . . — — Map (db m221465) HM
On Farm to Market Road 348 south of County Road 3106, on the right when traveling south.
Eli and Eliza Buckner moved from Georgia to the Chapman community in 1851. Eliza died in 1857; when Eli died in 1861 he left a half-acre of land including their graves for use as a public burial ground.
The Reverend Julius Caesar Alford Bridges . . . — — Map (db m268569) HM
On Farm to Market Road 1251 0.1 miles north of Farm to Market Road 3135.
In 1839 this congregation was organized with the Rev. Claugh Waterfield as pastor. The first member was 14-year-old William F. Richards. The Rev. William Craig began the 300-mile Church Hill circuit in 1843. John Robertson, John Strong, and Samuel . . . — — Map (db m268594) HM
On Loop State Road 571 south of County Road 416A, on the left when traveling south.
Chartered on Jan. 16, 1845, this Masonic Lodge shared a two-story building with the First Methodist Church for a number of years. A lodge building constructed at Depot and North Main in 1868 was also used for public school classes. The Masons . . . — — Map (db m268845) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
The Mt. Enterprise Cotton Gin was donated by the Barts family of Mt. Enterprise, Texas: Mark, Sandi, Brian, April, Timmy, Jacob and Bailey, to the Rusk County Historical Commission for the preservation and enjoyment of all generations.
In 1792 . . . — — Map (db m268929) HM
On State Road 322 at Highway 243A, on the left when traveling north on State Road 322.
It is believed interments were made at this site prior to 1882, when Jo Anna (Armstrong) Crim, the wife of Abraham B. Crim, was buried here. Hers is the earliest marked grave. That same year, the Crim's daughter Louisa (Crim) Armstrong was buried . . . — — Map (db m268615) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
Sacred Harp (Fasola) singing is based on a system of shaped notes, dispersed harmony and minor chords. In its origins it was rural, folk, religious music that allowed singers to interpret, or personalize, the sounds. Brought westward by migrating . . . — — Map (db m268926) HM
On Farm to Market Road 3310 at County Road 318 on Road 3310.
In the mid 1800s, a community was formed on what is now FM 3310. By 1884, it was called the Mansinger neighborhood but was changed to the Ebenezer community after a church and school organized. Most of the early families were involved in . . . — — Map (db m268849) HM
On East Main Street (Business U.S. 79) east of S High Street, on the right when traveling east.
Elias Fleming "Flem" Crim, Sr. and his wife,
Mattie Mae (Spharler) hired J.T. Melton to build
this home in 1913. E.F. was president of First
National Bank and served on the Henderson
school board. He was also a city alderman
and the Sunday . . . — — Map (db m289543) HM
On W. Main Street (Farm to Market Road 13) at S. Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling east on W. Main Street.
Begun in 1845 by the Rev. Lemuel Herrin (d. 1852), pioneer missionary Baptist minister from Tennessee, this church was reorganized in 1850 by Elders John B. Renfro and J. O. Walker, and the Rev. Jesse Witt, who served as the first pastor. Total . . . — — Map (db m289541) HM
On North Marshall Street at Van Sickle Street, on the right when traveling north on North Marshall Street.
This congregation was organized by the Rev. Preston W. Hobbs in 1842. One year before Rusk County was created, as part of the Shawnee Mission. That appointment was renamed Henderson in 1843, when the Rev. Orin Hatch was appointed pastor. Other . . . — — Map (db m268607) HM
On Farm to Market Road 13 0.2 miles east of County Road 462, on the right when traveling west.
A native of South Carolina and a Confederate veteran, George W. Burton migrated to Rusk County, Texas, about 1880. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1915 to 1921. During his three legislative terms, he participated in the . . . — — Map (db m268844) HM
On East Main Street (Business U.S. 79) 0.1 miles west of North Mills Street.
Constructed in 1884 for Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hardeman, this home was purchased in 1918 by H. L. and Nellie Griffin. Both Hardeman (1852-1925) and Griffin (1860-1947) were Henderson businessmen. The house, which exhibits elements of the Eastlake and . . . — — Map (db m221461) HM
On East Main Street at North Main Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Founded as the county seat for the newly created county of Rusk in 1843, Henderson was named for Republic of Texas pioneer and statesman James Pinckney Henderson, who would later become the first Governor of the State of Texas. Land for the town was . . . — — Map (db m221476) HM
On North Van Buren Street at West Formal Street, on the right when traveling south on North Van Buren Street.
The Old City Cemetery, believed to be the oldest established in Henderson in the mid-1840s, is situated on land that originates from the 1845. W.F. Johnson survey. The original deed records are not available due to a fire in the courthouse in 1878. . . . — — Map (db m266764) HM
On North High Street at Waskom Street on North High Street.
On June 1, 1877, the first train of the Henderson and Overton Branch Railroad arrived here. Only a freight-loading platform was built at that time. The depot was finished by 1901 and the warehouse added in 1909. A Fairbanks 1 and 1/2 ton scale was . . . — — Map (db m268604) HM
Near Highway 252D 0.1 miles west of Old Farm to Market Road 782, on the right when traveling west.
W.O. Baughman CSA
John Chisum Bell CO. В 3 Texas CAV
Oswell Burt CO. D 18 TEX INF
William Jacob Clamp CO. K 13. SC INF
Benjamin Gibson PVT. CO. F 17 TEX CAV.
John T. Gibson 1st. SERG. 17 TEX CAV.
Thomas Gibson CAPT. CO. D 10BN GA . . . — — Map (db m268617) WM
On South Main Street at E Howard Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
First brick home in county. Built 1855 by brothers, David P. and Jas. Logan Howard, settler's from Richmond, Va. The Howards made bricks with mud mill and later with a patented machine and kiln on the premises.
(Howard Bricks and carpentry went . . . — — Map (db m268609) HM
On County Road 334 at Highway 335D on County Road 334.
Georgia natives John and Mary Strong migrated to Texas about 1849 and were pioneer settlers of eastern Rusk County. They helped set aside land for the local Methodist congregation, the Church Hill Male and Female Academy, which operated in the . . . — — Map (db m268592) HM
Born in Halifax County, North Carolina, William Wright Morris moved with his family to Coosa County, Alabama, in 1840. He taught school, studied law, and was elected judge. In 1847 he brought his mother, widowed sister Martha (Morris) Spivey, her . . . — — Map (db m266766) HM
On Van Buren Street (U.S. 323) 0.1 miles north of State Highway 64, on the left when traveling north.
Following the creation of Rusk County and the establishment of Henderson as county seat in 1843, Old City Cemetery and the Graham-Hall or "New" City Cemetery served families as the primary public graveyards for nearly a century. With the death of . . . — — Map (db m268747) HM
On County Road 397 0.4 miles west of Farm to Market Road 1251, on the right when traveling west.
Organized in the Sugar Hill community in 1866, the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church was accepted into the Mt. Zion Baptist Association in 1868. A new building was erected east of the original church and school in 1897. In 1927 the church had 68 . . . — — Map (db m268556) HM
On Farm to Market Road 13 at County Road 416, on the left when traveling west on Road 13.
The jet fighter/trainer was assigned by the USAF Museum to the Skyhook Squadron, CAF, and the city of Henderson to serve as a 'Gateway Guardian' to Rusk County Airport. Approval was received on September 22, 1992, and on September 28, 1992, . . . — — Map (db m268838) HM
On North High Street at Webster Drive, on the right when traveling south on North High Street.
Built 1901 by Michael Kangerga (1873-1962), a native of Croatia, Austria-Hungary, who settled in Henderson in 1887 and with his brother Rade Kangerga founded M. Kangerga & Bro., a mercantile and financial institution, 1895. In 1896 he married . . . — — Map (db m289540) HM
On North Main Street at West Main Street, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street.
Constructed in 1884 by S. M. and J. H. Mims, this building was purchased in 1893 by Clinton Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., which had been chartered in 1845 when Texas was an independent republic. The Masons conducted meetings on the second floor of . . . — — Map (db m221478) HM
On North High Street at Waskom Street, on the right when traveling north on North High Street.
This house was built in 1892 by Charles M. Thompson and his wife, May Agatha Trammell, for May's mother, Martha (Mattie) Gibson Trammell, a certified teacher. In this building Mattie taught young men and women the rudiments of etiquette until 1910. . . . — — Map (db m268606) HM
On East Main Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street.
One of the first lots occupied after the town of Henderson was founded in 1848, this site has been a cornerstone in the city's downtown development. Jesse F. Merritt bought the lot in 1883 and had this brick building constructed for his Sunny South . . . — — Map (db m221479) HM
Near Highway 252D 0.1 miles west of Farm to Market Road 782, on the right when traveling west.
In the 1840s, Jesse Walling, veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, set aside four acres for a church, school, Masonic lodge and cemetery for Liberty Hill community, later renamed Millville of nearly 400 graves many unmarked, Ann Rushing's (d. 1851) . . . — — Map (db m268616) HM
On County Road 273 at County Road 270, on the left when traveling north on County Road 273.
Located on part of the Hansel Wright Survey, this congregation and cemetery were established in the 1850s. Many early church members, including organizers Thomas Ballenger (1811-1882) and B.F. Montgomery (1810-1900), migrated to the area from . . . — — Map (db m268602) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
For years major oil companies had contended there is "No oil in East Texas." They were proven wrong when Columbus Dad Joiner's third oil well hit the Woodbine Sand on October 3, 1930. Joiner's Daisy Bradford #3 roared in at a depth of 3,592 feet and . . . — — Map (db m268987) HM
On South Main Street at Jacksonville Drive (Business U.S. 79), on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
On this hill, as he wished for burial in sight of courthouse is grave of General James Smith, co-founder of Henderson. A South Carolina native he fought for the U.S. in War of 1812. Moved to Texas 1835. Returned to U.S. to raise troops for Texas War . . . — — Map (db m268614) HM
On Van Buren Street (U.S. 323) west of Marshall Cox Rd, on the left when traveling west.
Located on land donated in 1845 by Captain Robert W. Smith (1814-1851), a veteran of the Texas Revolution, this cemetery first served the members of Pleasant Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The earliest marked grave is that of DeWitt Smith, who . . . — — Map (db m268749) HM
On Van Buren Street (U.S. 323) west of Marshall Cox Rd, on the right when traveling west.
Captain Robert W. Smith (1814-51), a veteran of the Texas Revolution, donated land at this site in 1845 for use by a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The first building here, a log chapel, was also used for school classes. In 1856 the property was . . . — — Map (db m268748) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
Although plans for a rail line were made as early as 1852, railroad tracks were not laid in this area until after the end of the Civil War. Overton (14 mi. NW) became the center of Rusk County railroading after the International & Great Northern . . . — — Map (db m268932) HM
A Methodist circuit rider, the Rev. William Craig was born in South Carolina and entered the ministry at age 18. He married Rebecca Hortense Horton (1785-1866) and had six children. About 1841, he moved from Mississippi to San Augustine, Texas. In . . . — — Map (db m266767) HM
Near County Road 364 0.6 miles south of Farm to Market Road 2867, on the left when traveling south.
Αn 1836-37 Republic of Texas soldier who joined 1842 Mier Expedition to punish Mexican invasions of Texas. Captured in Mexico, he escaped firing squad by drawing a white bean, but was chained in prison for two years.
The well-educated son of . . . — — Map (db m268568) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
In the early years of Texas Statehood Rusk County was home to a number of large plantations. By the end of the Civil War many of the plantations were gone, and small farms replaced larger operations. Crops included cotton, sugar cane, grains, and . . . — — Map (db m268984) HM
On County Road 4187 0.1 miles west of County Road 4188, on the right when traveling west.
In the 1850s, several families settled in an area that became Pleasant Grove also known as Shake Rag. In 1911, the community organized a Baptist church. The church met in the Pleasant Grove School House that was shared with the Methodist Church. In . . . — — Map (db m268990) HM
On U.S. 79 west of St. Paul Street, on the right when traveling west.
An Indian village occupied successively by several Indian tribes before the Cherokees and their associates were driven from east Texas in 1839. The mounds, suggestive of their burial places, and bits of pottery remain mute evidences of the . . . — — Map (db m289583) HM
On County Road 334 at County Road 335D on County Road 334.
This cemetery originally served the family of Georgia native John Strong (1806-1854), a pioneer leader of the nearby Church Hill community. The earliest marked grave is that of his grandson John A. Young (d. 1853), the son of William and S.E. . . . — — Map (db m268590) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
From the beginning of the Rusk County Depot Museum in 1978 until her death in 2017, Susan Weaver was a driving force in recording, interpreting, and preserving Rusk County history.
She served as director of the Depot Museum from its inception . . . — — Map (db m268980) HM
On North Main Street at West Fordall Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
December Fifth 1803 July Twenty Ninth 1857
Soldier • Patriot Jurist • Statesman
Left Side
He signed the Declaration of Independence.
Helped draft the Constitution to a large degree. He devised the court system and served as . . . — — Map (db m221307) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
In 1841 Thomas Jefferson Walling (1811-1902) and his wife Nancy (Price) erected this one-room log cabin. Typical of many pioneer farm homes in this area, it was built of hand-hewn timbers joined at the corners by square notches. Walling was a . . . — — Map (db m268930) HM
On North High Street at Waskom St on North High Street.
From 1948 when Lake Forest Park first opened, to the early 1970's, the train and 3 cars entertained thousands of youngsters and adults alike.
Riders were taken around familiar scenes of East Texas on 2200 feet of track. Crossing the Sabine . . . — — Map (db m268989) HM
On County Road 368 west of Farm to Market Road 840, on the left when traveling west.
The first grave at this site was that of Georgia native Anna Welch (1804-1877), who selected the hillside for her own burial. It was used as a family cemetery from that date. The property was owned by her son Andrew Jackson "Jack" Welch (1825-1899), . . . — — Map (db m268563) HM
On County Road 401 0.5 miles south of Old Jacksonville Road, on the right when traveling south.
William C. Davis came to Texas from North Carolina in 1835 and settled in this area, in what was then part of Nacogdoches County. He received a land grant in Lamar County for his service in the Indian Wars of the late 1830s, but retained his . . . — — Map (db m268847) HM
On County Road 272 north of State Road 43, on the left when traveling east.
Hansel Wright (1773-1856) came to East Texas in 1836 and was granted land for service in the Republic of Texas Army. In 1846 he moved his family to this area and used a portion of his land to establish the cemetery at this site. The oldest marked . . . — — Map (db m268603) HM
On County Road 368 at County Road 3125, on the left when traveling south on County Road 368.
In 1867 Augustus Ferguson deeded 8.5 acres of land for a church and school. This congregation was formed in 1868, with the Rev. John Sparkman (1821-82) as the first pastor. According to tradition, there were 15 charter members. Services were . . . — — Map (db m268566) HM
