Henderson, an East Texas city, is the county seat of Rusk County. The city became the county seat upon Rusk County's founding in 1843.
The City of Henderson was first established by European Americans before Texas became a state.
In 1930 C.M. Joiner brought in a discovery well only 6 miles out of Henderson. The discovery of oil in the area led to an oil boom, thus, an increase economy and population.
Oil fields surrounding Henderson, which is part of the five-county East Texas Oil Field, continue to have a great economic impact on the city.