Henderson Is the County Seat and Central Hub for Services

The Republic of Texas created Rusk County in January 1843. The county was named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk. He served as secretary of war under Sam Houston. Henderson was picked as the county seat. It sits near the center of the county. By 1860, Rusk County was the most populous county in Texas.

Henderson is still where most county offices are. You will find the county courthouse there, along with the appraisal district and the tax assessor-collector. Kilgore, on the western edge of the county, is the other major city.

If you need to file paperwork, protest a property value, or handle county business, go to Henderson. The Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas entry on Rusk County is a good place to start if you want more background.