Vibrant Downtown

Downtown as it was meant to be.

Henderson has a unique historic downtown. Citizens and visitors alike can be seen strolling down the city's sidewalks throughout the week and on weekends. There are a variety of businesses such as retail shops, boutiques, florist, restaurants, antique and collectible shops, beauty salons, banks, and other professional businesses to meet the needs of our citizens and visitors.

The Syrup Festival (held the 2ndSaturday in November) draws thousands of people, both locals, and visitors to downtown Henderson. The event includes a variety of musicians and entertainers, arts, craft and antique vendors, food, and beverages, and much more. The festival began in 1989 and continues to grow and evolve.

Just a little history

Henderson is rich in history and was designated the county seat of Rusk County in 1843, making it one of the oldest cities in Texas.  The city center and county courthouse were positioned at the top of a knoll in the heart of Rusk County.  The downtown area became a bustling place during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s due to a booming cotton industry.  In the 1930’s the boom continued due to the discovery of oil.  The result is a gorgeous fabric of historic architecture that is the backdrop for today’s Main Street downtown and perhaps your business.

In 1988, Henderson was designated a Texas Main Street City and the entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Many of the buildings have both a National Register Marker and a Texas Historical Marker.

We invite you to visit, shop, dine, or start a business in Henderson’s historic downtown.