Henderson County is named for Texas's first governor

Texas established Henderson County on April 27, 1846, shortly after statehood. The county was named for James Pinckney Henderson, who served as Texas's first governor. The county seat moved twice before Athens became permanent around 1849-1850.

Athens got its name from a local resident who hoped the town would become a center of learning — a nod to Athens, Greece. The district court initially met under an oak tree in the town square. The county spans nearly 950 square miles between the Neches and Trinity Rivers in East Texas.