The county name settled before the county seat did

Henderson County had a name before it had a lasting county seat. Texas created the county from parts of Houston and Nacogdoches counties on April 27, 1846. It was named for James Pinckney Henderson, the state's first governor. The county organized on August 4.

Henderson's first year as governor did not keep him behind a desk. His term began on February 19, 1846. On May 19, the lieutenant governor became acting governor while Henderson led a regiment of Texas volunteers in the Mexican War. Henderson returned to the governor's office on December 13.

County business moved around as well. Buffalo and Centerville both served as county seats before Athens took the role in 1850. The county kept Henderson's name while its courthouse found a permanent home.