touring texas 2021

AHENDERSON
& Rusk County

Howdy
Y’all!

2 | TOURISM 2021-2022

A CONTENTS

Tourism 2021-2022

4 ABOUT HENDERSON
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR PG 5

6 DEPOT MUSEUM
7 HOWARD DICKINSON

HOUSE

8 HENDERSON CIVIC

THEATRE

9 HENDERSON CIVIC

CENTER

10 HENDERSON PARKS
DOWNTOWN ALLEY ON MAIN
LAKE FOREST PARK
YATES PARK
FAIR PARK

14 HERITAGE SYRUP

FESTIVAL

16 WILDFLOWER TRAILS
CHRISTMAS IN HENDERSON

17 MOUNT ENTERPRISE
18 NEW LONDON

LONDON MUSEUM

19 GASTON MUSEUM
21 OVERTON
22 REKLAW

LAKE STRIKER

23 TATUM
MARTIN CREEK LAKE STATE PARK

PUBLISHED BY

1711 U.S. HIGHWAY 79 S.
HENDERSON, TX. 75654

903-657-2501
WWW.THEHENDERSONNEWS.COM

County information is from the Texas State Historical Association

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 3

HENDERSON A

The City of Henderson is one of Texas’ best
small towns to visit, live and play. This Go
Texan Certified Retirement Community
is located in the Pineywoods of Northeast
Texas just 35 miles from Tyler, Longview and
Nacogdoches and offers a true taste of southern
hospitality from its historic sites, friendly
atmosphere and rich traditions. Henderson
is home to more than 13,000 residents and is
the county seat of Rusk County. Formed in the
1800s, the downtown business district was laid
out around the courthouse square and is now a
vibrant downtown historic district. Since 1988
it has been a Texas Main Street City and is also
a National Main Street City. Today the unique
character of downtown has been preserved
and has new life. Henderson is a hub for
business activity, serves as a major crossroads
in Northeast Texas, and offers a variety of
sightseeing opportunities, shopping and
dining. Come and see why so many people are
making this true Texas community their home.

Main Street Henderson

“It’s Good To Be Here!”
A Texas and National Main Street City
S tep back in time and enjoy the small
town ambiance of Main Street This is a great town to live in with caring
people, wonderful schools and a quality of
Henderson. There are many upscale shops life that brings happiness to you.
fronted with historic facades and colorful
awnings mixed with down-home antiques Please come and visit, we hope you
and eclectic collections of one-of-a-kind will decide to stay!
items. We are actively looking for new
businesses for our downtown, so talk to us! Call for more information about Henderson

903.392.8232

A Texas Main Street
City since 1988, we are
also a National Main
Street City, signifying
excellence in our
program of preservation
and re-use of historic
downtown buildings.

4 |TOURISM 2021-2022

Hello and Welcome to Henderson, Texas!

A F F I L I AT E Thank you for the interest that you have shown in our city.

Located in the “Heart of East Texas,” Henderson is a vibrant, affordable and active
city with so many experiences to share. Start your visit in our National Register His-
toric Downtown Square. Upscale shopping, antiques, and eateries provide a unique
shopping experience. Continue with a visit to one of our local museums or watch
live theater at our historic opera house. We have three beautiful parks which have
been totally renovated.

Henderson has achieved many state and national designations for the superb quality
of life which offer a perfect community to raise a family. Our GO-TEXAN CERTIFIED
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY is one that we are so proud of.

Most recently the city received a 1st Place Award in our population size, with Keep
Texas Beautiful.

We invite you to make your overnight accommodations for a few days in beautiful
Henderson.

If you happen to plan your visit for the second Saturday in November, be sure to
enjoy the Annual Heritage Syrup Festival, the Sweetest Festival in Texas, and the
only folk life festival in East Texas.

Sincerely,

John W. Fullen Visit us at www.visithendersontx.com
Mayor
TOURISM 2021-2022 | 5

DEPOT MUSEUM A

The Depot Museum/Children’s Marker. The Arnold Building includes tales
Discovery Center and Operational of Indians, settlers, schools, technology,
Cotton Gin is home to a large portion wildcatters, as well as industry from Rusk
of Rusk County’s history. The five-acre County. Outside the main building is the
museum features exhibits and 12 restored Beall-Ross house, an example of dogtrot
structures. The Walling Log Cabin built in architecture and home to the founder of
1841 and the Arnold Outhouse has been Bealls Department Store. A large two-story
awarded a Texas Historical Marker with the building contains a Continental cotton
Arnold Outhouse in Texas with a Historical gin from Mount Enterprise, the last in the
county with all the equipment in place. The
Depot Museum also housed a saw mill, a
restored 1901 Missouri-Pacific depot, the
T.J. Walling log cabin, Arnold Outhouse,
a general store, print shop, doctor’s office,
MOPAC caboose, an oil derrick and a
barn and broom factory. The 1950-60s era
carousel from Lake Forest Park is the latest
Open Year Round 514 N. High Street edition to the complex. The syrup mill on
Mon - Fri 9 am - 4 pm the grounds is the focus of the Heritage
Saturday 9 am-12 pm Henderson, TX Syrup Festival each year. The museum,
903-657-4303

(Scheduled parties ONLY on Saturdays.) located at 514 N. High St., is open year
round with the exception of holidays, from
Admission Fees: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.
$3 Adult, $2 Senior $1 Child

$1 Carousel Rides

www.depotmuseum.com until noon on Saturdays, for parties only.
[email protected] For reservations or more information about

the museum, call 903-657-4303 or visit
www.depotmuseum.com.

The Depot Museum houses the Rusk
County History Museum and Children’s
Discovery Center. Clustered on five
acres are twelve restored structures
from Rusk County’s past. A video
introduces guests to the early residents
of Rusk County - an intriguing blend
of Native American, settlers, and oil-
hungry wildcatters. The Rusk County
Historical Commission and Genealogy
office is also on the grounds.
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HOWARD DICKINSON HOUSE A

The Howard Dickinson House Tours are by appointment only. For more
located at 501 South Main is one information, call the Henderson Area
of the most historic buildings in Chamber of Commerce at 903-657-6925.
Henderson. Posed serenely on a gentle hill
overlooking South Main Street, the Howard Pickup • Grocery
Dickinson House stands as a testament
to more than 160 years of Rusk County Order online or in the app
History. It was the first brick home built in and pick up the same day!
the county by brothers James and David
P. Howard, settlers from Virginia. The two 2121 Highway 79 S. • Henderson, TX
were brick masons and carpenters and were
involved in building many of the buildings 903-657-5707
in downtown Henderson. Sam Houston was Fax: 903-657-6505
a frequent visitor to the house and the first
president of the Republic of Texas was a Tire & Lube Express: 903-657-4417
cousin to Martha Ann Howard. The Texas Pharmacy: 903-657-2757
statesman’s campaign trunk is displayed in
the house. The home was bought in 1905 TOURISM 2021-2022 | 7
by Mrs. M.C. Dickinson and was used as a
boarding house during the East Texas Oil
Boom years. The Dickinsons added a wing
that contains the library and lived in the
home for nearly 50 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Bryce purchased
the house in 1950, but it stood empty for
14 years. In 1964, Bryce deeded the house
to the Rusk County Heritage Association
and it was opened to the public as a living
museum and meeting place for special
events after extensive fundraising for the
restoration. The Howard Dickinson House
was presented a Texas Historical Medallion
in 1968 and was recorded as a Texas
Historical Landmark for its importance
to Henderson and early Texas history.

HENDERSON CIVIC THEATRE A

The Henderson Civic
Theatre, located in the
restored downtown
Opera House at 112 E. Main St.,
offers the finest in community
theatre with a wide variety
of plays and musicals to suit
all tastes. HCT is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to
engaging and educating the
general public through the
presentation of dramatic arts
in all forms. HCT’s production
season begins in the fall and
sponsors other unique events
throughout the year and is
committed to furthering its
outreach endeavors through
new programs, partnerships,
and community involvement.
For more information visit
www.hendersoncivictheatre.
org or call 903-657-2968.

DOWNTOWN SATURDAY DEPOT MUSEUM
NOVEMBER 13, 2021
100 East Main St. 514 North High
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10 Blocks Ribbon Cane Syrup Making
Antique Cars Exhibit Henderson, Texas
Arts & Crafts, Retail & Folk Art Demonstrations

Food Vendors All Day Hayride Folk Art Vendors
Square Dancers Shuttles Between Food Vendors
and Cloggers Depot and Downtown Carousel Rides
Live Music Entertainment
Children’s Section For Information Saw Mill Demonstrations

Pony Rides Cotton Gin
[email protected] Antique Tractors and Engines
Henderson Civic Theatre ph: 866-650-5529
Melodrama or 903-657-4303 Story Telling
www.visithendersontx.com Dulcimers, Country, and
Performances: www.depotmuseum.com
11am, 1 pm, 3 pm Bluegrass Music

8 | TOURISM 2021-2022

HENDERSON CIVIC CENTER A

The Henderson Civic Center is located meetings, parties, reunions, weddings and
overlooking scenic Lake Forest more. The civic center houses a conference
Park on Texas Highway 64 West. room, reception room and 9,000 square
Surrounded by a wooded landscape, a foot civic hall that can be divided into two
small lake, playgrounds and pavilions. rooms. The building also provides a large,
The civic center is a 20,000 square foot fully furnished commercial catering kitchen.
multipurpose facility available for a variety For more information, call 903-392-8232 or
of events, including conferences and visit www.hendersontx.us.

Large venue for weddings, concerts, receptions and more Full Commercial Kitchen Facility

Meeting and Reception Rooms

1500 Lake Forest Pkwy at Hwy 64 W • Henderson, Texas 75652
Contact 903-392-8232 • www.hendersontx.us

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 9

HENDERSON PARKS A

ALLEY ON MAIN

Henderson is home to several parks.
Located next to the Rusk County Library
is an area designed for visitors to enjoy
historic downtown Henderson. The area
features tables outside of the library. Lights
also hang across the area to provide light in
the evening hours for families and friends
to meet and visit. Public restrooms are also
available.

LAKE FOREST PARK

The large park between the Henderson
Civic Center and Henderson Police
Department is Lake Forest Park located on
Texas Highway 64 West. The park features
pavilions, restrooms, a playground, rose
gardens and a walkway that leads to a
gazebo over the lake. It is a popular spot
for fishing, picnics and walking. The park
also contains disc golf pavilions. Keep
Henderson Beautiful also constructed a
plaza at the lake for concerts and other
events.

YATES PARK

Located on Van Sickle
Street, Henderson’s Yates
Park features a playground,
restrooms, a lighted
basketball court and softball
field, a splash pad and plenty
of open space to play.

FAIR PARK

Located just a few blocks from downtown on Fair Park Avenue, is bustling Fair Park with
activities for the whole family. It includes a lighted pavilion, playground, splash pad for
children, skateboard ramps, a softball field, tennis courts, a shaded 1.8 mile ADA concrete
walking trail with benches, a seasonal farmers’ market and a new dog park called Fair Paws
Dog Park.

10 | TOURISM 2021-2022

RUSK COUNTY AIRPORT A
The T-33 training jet is located at the
entrance of Rusk County Airport,
conveniently located at 3500 County
Road 416A, three miles from downtown
Henderson. The jet was used to train Air
Force pilots during the 1950s and 1960s
and it also serves as a memorial to all
veterans. Since the completion of the airport
terminal, the airport has added covered
parking for those who fly, a spacious lobby,
a pilot weather and planning room, Wi-Fi
access and TV for guests to stay up-to-date
on weather and news while traveling. The
Rusk County Airport is home to the some
of the lowest priced 100LL AVGAS in the
country and fuel is available 24/7 by a self-
serve credit card terminal at the pump. A
courtesy vehicle is also available to travel
into Henderson. The airport is home to the
annual Air Show held the first Saturday in
June. For more information, call Airport
Manager Alexa McAnally at 903-657-7081
or visit www.ruskcountyairport.com.

EXPO CENTER A Henderson Health & Rehab is an Approved Outpatient
Physical and Occupational Therapy Facility.
The Tommy McDaniel Rusk County
Youth Expo Center, located at 3303 FM
13 West, has a long history of hosting
many agricultural events for the youth in
the community. The center is home to many
large events including the Rusk County
Youth Project Show, the Rusk County RRCA
Rodeo, the East Texas Antique Tractor
and Engine Show and the Texas Oilfield
Angels Crawfish Boil. The 100,000 square
foot facility, renovated in 2016-2017, can
accommodate weddings, reunions, jackpot
shows, rodeos and a variety of other
events. For more information, contact Expo
Manager Jennifer Sprayberry at 903-722-
0101.

Skilled, Quality Rehab Health Care For All
Long Term, Short Term and Respite Medical Care

1010 West Main • Henderson, Texas

903-657-6513

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 11

MAKE MEMORIES

A Downtown Shopping A

413 Couture Possibilities
Better Half Antiques Rayford Florist
Covenant Antiques Revive & Renew Salon
Rush Salon & Boutique
Deadwood South Sassy Sisters/Radical Arms
Donovan’s SoShee Boutique
Kelly B’s The Curious Wren
Nelda’s Nook Western Auto
Wild Iris Florist & Fine Gifts
Peterson’s Home
Furnishings

AA Beginning 1st Friday in
November - 2nd Saturday

in November

STAY AWHILE...

12 | TOURISM 2021-2022

A

Alley on Main A Howard Dickinson House

A HENDERSON

A Martin Creek Lake State Park Making Syrup

DOWNTOWN AHeritage Syrup Festival

100 East Main St. Always 2nd Saturday
in November
10 Blocks
Antique Cars Exhibit YSEATAURRDAAYROUNDDEPOETVMEUNSEUTMSDOWNTOWN DEPO
Arts & Crafts, Retail & SATURDAY
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Food Vendors
Square Dancers
and Cloggers
Live Music Entertainment
Children’s Section

Pony Rides
Henderson Civic Theatre

Melodrama
Performances:
11am, 1 pm, 3 pm

HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL A

The festival is always held the
second Saturday in November.
The “Sweetest Festival in Texas” is
centered around old-time syrup making
with folk art, antique tractors and cars,
arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s
activities, a variety of food vendors and
much more. From the Depot Museum, the
festivities spread six blocks to Heritage
Square in downtown Henderson, visitors
can browse among the 250 shopping
booths, sample East Texas cuisine and
enjoy music on stage one or enjoy
Henderson Civic Theatre’s performance
at the former Opera House. A fun filled
experience awaits you on stage two
where cloggers and square dancers will
HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL AT entertain you. Relive history while you visit
THE DEPOT MUSEUM the antique and classic car exhibit. The
NOVEMBER 13, 2021
children’s section provides activities which
Depot Museum Grounds, 514 N. High St., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. are sure to promise a fun filled day for the
entire family. Hayride shuttles, sponsored
Ribbon Cane Syrup Making by the Rusk County 4-H Club, provide
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. rustic transportation between the Depot

FolkArt Demonstrations Museum and Downtown Heritage Square.
Grist Mill, Herbalist, Woodcarvers, Rope Maker, Printers, This event is free and open to all ages. For
more information, call City of Henderson
Blacksmith, Spinner, Weavers, Soap Making Tourism Department at 866-650-5529 or
The Depot Museum at 903-657-4303.
Activities
Face Painting and much more
Carousel Rides: $1.00 per person
Story Tellers Pavilion: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Antique Tractor and Engine Display
Saw Mill Demonstration

on the hour

Tour the Cotton Gin

Entertainment

10:00-12:00 Hatti Bridges Alexander
12:00-2:00 Lori Tyson
2:00-4:00 New Life Worship Team

14 | TOURISM 2021-2022

CORPORATE SPONSORS FOLK ART
AEP/ Southwestern Electric SPONSORS
Power Company November 13, 2021
Blazer Electric & Satellite
Arnold Abstract Company/East Gearheart & Gearheart, PLLC
Texas Title Companies Henderson Quick Copy Printing
Badders Law Firm Kenneth Orr Construction, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Preston
Bane Investment Holdings Mr. & Mrs. Tony Wooster
Centerpoint Energy - Entex Phenix & Crump, PLLC
Richard W Ferguson CPA, PLLC
Coldwell Banker Strong - Hurt Pharmacy
Home Place Realty
Cook & Son Roofing

DC Distributors
East Texas Professional
SPECIAL THANKSCredit Union
TITLE SPONSOREastex Telephone Alford Investments
Cooperative, Inc. City of Henderson Mayor
Fairway Ford Henderson and Elected Officials
Gabriel/Jordan Rusk County Judges
Chevrolet Cadillac Rusk County Commissioners
Henderson Animal and Elected Officials
Care Hospital Depot Museum Employees
Henderson Federal City of Henderson Employees
Savings Bank Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
Henderson Health and Rehab Rusk County Mounted Patrol
Henderson Smiles Rusk Co. Extension Agents
Howell Recycling CenterPoint Energy Employees
Law Office of Wayne & Jan Tipps
James A. HolmNeews nPaCme, same great everything else: Panel Truss Texas, Inc.
verabank.comLuminant 4-H Club Members & Parents
Republic Services
MTC Don Reynolds • Don Gage
MTC East Texas Jim White • Danny Deason
Treatment Facility Trey Segura • Travis Orr
Genuine banking for genuine people.
SOftoosckarersgS&tielAlns•souMciiaanrtekesHpoweaordple.
Same Local Employees 877-566-2621 | verabank.com | Member FDIC
— Wes Beall • Kirk Duncan
Jo Bundrick • Bonnie Geddie
Same Leadership Texas Fresh Produce
— St. Mathews Episcopal Church

Same Ownership Henderson Federal
— Savings Bank

Same Tailored Products
—

Same Excellent Service

Randall Dodge -
Chrysler - Jeep

e great everything else: CONTRIBUTORSRepublic Services
RES Air Conditioning
Genuine banking

Blacklands Railroad, Inc.
CAPCO Contractors, Inc.
Charles Rader Funeral Home
Conterra Networks
State Farm Insurance, Diane Neilsen
Fiberglass Specialties, Inc.
Velvin Oil Co.
William Grant Tank & Vessel, Inc.
Local EmployReuesksCounty Electric
— Cooperative, Inc.

me LeadershipSadler’s Smokehouse
— Saulsbury

SYRUP TEAM SPONSORme OwnershSieprvice Insurance Group

— Tenaska Gateway

SUGAR CANE GROWERTailored ProductPsartners, LTD
—

SUGAR CANE SPONSORExcellent
SerUvTicHeTeaelxtahsHBeanndkerson DAorurogw8ahn7ed7a-Kd5a6Ft6ah-ri2mF6os2r&1d,| verabank.com | Member FDIC

Verizon/Victra Chinquapin Gourd Palace Crawford-A. Crim
Funeral Home
Wallace and Sons
Wrecker Service
Walmart City Of Henderson Tourism Dept.
West Fraser Wood
Toll Free 866-650-5529
Products, Inc.
Depot Museum 903-657-4303
www.visithendersontx.com • www.depotmuseum.com

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 15

CHRISTMAS IN HENDERSON A

WILDFLOWER TRAILS You are invited to join the many City
Guide yourself through of Henderson Holiday events! We
historic Rusk County on are honored to kick off the wonderful
three wildflower trails in holiday season with tradition and fun events
the spring. The trail itineraries for the entire family starting the first Friday
will provide a scenic view of the in November.
beautiful wildflowers, historical
markers, museums, local shopping Beginning with the City of Henderson
and incredible views of Rusk Downtown Annual Tree lighting Ceremony,
County. Download the brochure which sparks off the festivities, held every
at www.visithendersontx.com or year on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving.
contact the tourism department at To the Christmas Parade, sponsored by the
866-650-5529. City of Henderson, where “Santa” makes
his debut and then settles into his little red
house in historic downtown Henderson in
Heritage Square. The children love to visit
and tell him what is on their Christmas list.
With many shopping and dining options to
choose from, Henderson is a great spot to
stop for old fashioned fun!

The City of Henderson, Rusk County,
has many wonderful events throughout the
holiday season for you to enjoy! Visit www.
visithendersontx.com for more information.
We look forward to seeing you.

A

16 | TOURISM 2021-2022

MT. ENTERPRISEhe city of Mount Enterprise, A

located south of Henderson in rural school, three churches, and a population
of 150. In 1894 the Caro Northern
T Rusk County, is home to around Railway was chartered to operate as a
logging road between Mount Enterprise
450 people. The city was named for a and Caro, in Nacogdoches County.
small elevation near the town and for The railroad, which connected Mount
the business enterprise of the Vinson Enterprise with the Texas and New
brothers, who settled it in 1832. The Orleans Railroad, came to within a mile
town owes its existence to the presence of Mount Enterprise and the town then
of promising iron ore in the area. The moved to the railroad. The city is home
Vinson’s real enterprise came from to multiple unincorporated communities
manufacturing and retailing wagons, and is served by Mount Enterprise
buggies, furniture, plows, caskets and a Independent School District, a rural 2A
patented churn. Lumber was also a large school that serves approximately 400
industry in the city. In 1880 the town had students.
three sawmills, a hotel, two cotton gins, a

Step

Into

Oil eld

History

Located on the Kilgore College Campus

1301 S. Henderson Blvd.
Kilgore, Texas 75662

(903) 983-8295
easttexasoilmuseum.kilgore.edu
Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 17

NEW LONDON A

New London, a small community in Rusk gas to have an odor.
County, is home to around 1,000 people The London Museum is dedicated to all those
and like most towns in East Texas, is rich
in history. Originally known as “London,” this who died in 1937 and to those who survived
city grew as East Texas became crowded with that fateful day. The museum is housed in the
oilfield workers and their families. However, as historic McConnico’s Drugstore building that
the U.S. Post Office had already established a once served the students of the London School.
station at London in Kimble County, the town Most of the exhibits tell the story of the explosion
changed its name to “New London” in 1931. using items donated by the families of victims.
The City of New London is served by the West The museum features a variety of artifacts from
Rusk Independent School District. The city is the London School and 1930’s, including letter
known for its history and tragedy of the worst jackets, the flag that flew over the school the
school explosion in history on March 18, 1937 day of the explosion, school furniture and more.
where 294 people were killed. As a result of the The museum’s tearoom features an old time
disaster, Texas passed a law requiring natural soda fountain. For more information, call 903-
895-4602 or visit www.newlondonschool.org.

Visit the museum
dedicated to
keeping alive the
memory of the
294 who died on
March 18, 1937 in
the world’s worst
school disaster.

London Museum 1500 Lake Forest Parkway • Henderson, Texas

10690 S. Main St. (St. Hwy. 42) (903) 895-4602 • New London, Tx Toll Free 866-650-5529
Museum & Soda Fountain: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm www.visithendersontx.com [email protected]

Saturdays 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (March - August) View our videos at
Cafe: Mon - Fri 11:00 am to 2:00 pm www.visithendersontx.com
Tickets $5.00 Adults • Children $3.00
Please call ahead for large groups.
www.newlondonschool.org

The Cenotaph
commemorates the New
London School Explosion,
displaying in granite all the
names of children, teachers,
staff and visitors who lost
their lives.

18 | TOURISM 2021-2022

GASTON MUSEUMhe Gaston museum, an A

educational and historical

Tmuseum, is in Joinerville,

approximately 6 miles West
of Henderson. The museum’s
exhibit building gives visitors
a glimpse of Life in the East
Texas oilfield from the 1930s to
60s including memorabilia from
the boom era. Family history
and artifacts of the earliest
rural school in the world in
the 1930s, the original Dixie
service station, and an original
tent house complete with an
escape encounter. The museum
is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00
PM Friday and Saturday and by
appointment year-round. For
more information call 903 722-
9016 or visit us at Facebook.
com/Gastonmuseum or our
website gastonmuseum.org

903-657-5349

980 N. MARSHALL • HENDERSON, TX
www.resairconditioning.net

TACLA11289E TACLB11289R

Gaston Museum
6562 TX-64, Joinerville, TX 75658 | 903-722-9016
Hours 10am-4pm Fri-Sat and by appointment year round.

Facebook.com/Gastonmuseum or our website gastonmuseum.org

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 19

“We are here, and
we are ready to help.
Always Texas Strong.”

903-834-3161

115 East Henderson Street | Overton
www.texasbankandtrust.com

YOUR
JOURNEY
STARTS
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KILGORE.EDU 903 983 8209

20 | TOURISM 2021-2022

OVERTONverton was laid out in 1873 at a site A

that was to be the junction of two Chamber of Commerce hosts many events
throughout the year, including a fall fest and
Orailroad lines and was named for Christmas Parade each year.

Frank Overton, an early settler who owned
land in the area and donated some of it for
a town site.

A Baptist church was founded at the
community in 1875, and Hubbard College
was founded in 1876. In 1888 an Overton
newspaper described the town as having
“15 or more good businesses, two large
hotels, numerous buildings, a fine chartered
school, excellent society, pure air, good
water,” and “a population of over 500.”
Overton was primarily a farming center until
oil was discovered in the area around 1930.

The success of the East Texas oilfield
led to the prosperity for Overton, bringing
business, churches, schools and banks.
More than 2,500 people now reside
in Overton. The Overton-New London

Downtown Henderson

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Family Owned & Operated! TOURISM 2021-2022 | 21

REKLAW A

Reklaw is a rural community at the If you’re looking to spend some time
junction of U.S. Highway 84 and at the lake then Lake Striker is the place
Texas Highway 204, on the Rusk- to visit. Located in the deep piney woods,
Cherokee County line. The area was first Lake Striker offers great amenities for
settled during the period of the Republic a day, weekend or weeklong getaway.
of Texas. Lodge at the lake with a tent campsite
rental, full RV hook ups, motel rooms or
Nearby Iron Mountain attracted miners, cabin rentals. The marina offers a fishing
prospectors, and settlers in a brief iron pier, a boat launch and a swimming area.
rush in the 1860s and later in 1891. Several The marina area also hosts a variety of
sawmills had been built in the vicinity prior outdoor games, including volleyball and
to the Civil War, but a village did not begin horseshoes and if you’re interested in
to grow up until 1902, when the Texas and fishing, you’ll find largemouth bass, sand
New Orleans Railroad was built through bass, catfish and crappie throughout the
the area, and a town site was laid out on year. The Lake Striker Resort is also home
land owned by Margaret L. Walker. Local to a restaurant, serving some East Texas
citizens wanted to name the new town after favorites and a variety of seafood. The
Walker, so when the name was already in resort also offers many events including
use in Texas, they spelled it backwards. local bands and fireworks around the
By 1914, Reklaw had two general stores, Fourth of July. For more information,
a sawmill, a blacksmith, and a population call 903-854-2404 or visit www.
of 50. The population continued to grow lakestrikerresort.com.
and now stands at 381 residents.

22 | TOURISM 2021-2022

TATUM A

T atum has a longstanding history Tatum Pecan Pie Festival April 23, 2022
in Rusk County. Located 21 miles Tatum Wild Flower Trail April 15 – May 31, 2022
northeast of Henderson the town Tatum Jingle Bell Bop & Shop December 11, 2021
settled in the 1840’s by Albert and Mary
C. Tatum. The Tatum family established Martin Creek Lake State Park
a plantation, which is now the City of
Tatum. The city produced an abundance Visit: tatumtexas.com
of resources that were a successful
business enterprise. In 1882, after the Tatum, Texas 903-947-6403
Santa Fe Railroad passed through Tatum
on the way from Longview to Beaumont,
the place became a boomtown. Hotels
were built, mercantile businesses
thrived and farmers and sawmills could
easily get their goods to the higher
priced markets.

Tatum saw disaster in the early 1900s
and World War I and II affected the
community tremendously with many
families not returning to the area after
the war. Oil and gas was later discovered
in the area and Martin Creek Lake was
built in the early 1970s when the Texas
Utilities Company moved to Tatum.
Tatum continues to hold onto its charm
with the spirit of its early settlers.

The town houses more than 1,300
and is home to the Tatum Eagles and a
portion of the town is served by Beckville
Independent School District. The town
is home to unique shops, restaurants
and the Pecan Pie Festival every April.

Martin Creek Lake State Park is
located four miles southeast of Tatum
and was deeded to the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department by Texas Utilities.
Since its public opening in 1976, the
park is known for its fishing, camping,
wildlife observation and photography.
The park is a popular campsite and
a great place for the whole family.
Activities in the park include picnicking,
canoeing or boating, water skiing,
swimming, backpacking, hiking and
many other programs.

During the winter months, the lake
is home to many fishing tournaments.
For more information, visit www.tpwd.
texas.gov.

TOURISM 2021-2022 | 23

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