As far back as the early 1830s, individuals began to settle in this area of Texas. On January 16, 1843, Rusk County formed a separate county from Nacogdoches County.

Thomas Jefferson Rusk played a significant role in the history of Texas, leading to the county being named after him. He served in the Texas Revolution as an officer and was a signatory to the Texas Declaration of Independence. As a result, he inspired the eponymous Henderson as the county seat.

A few tiny farms and pine trees fill the flat to the slightly sloping ground around the city. The Gulf of Mexico significantly impacts the subtropical climate, which is primarily continental. In the summer the weather is hot and humid. In the winter, temperatures seldom fall below freezing for more than a few minutes at a time. There is a lot of rain and thunder throughout the winter and spring. During the spring, storms may be pretty dangerous.

Topography

Rusk County lies between River Sabine and River Angelina in the Piney Woods because of the Sabine Uplift of the Coastal Plains.

Henderson is the county seat and is nearer the central position of the county. This city is located at Latitude 32°10′ N, longitude 94°45′ W.

US highways 59, 79, 84, and 359 serve the county, and other state roads, including 64, 149, and 322, like the Topeka and Santa Fe, serve transportation needs.

Climate

Winters are moderate, and summers are pleasant due to the area’s subtropical-humid climate. January’s average temperature is 35°F or 35.6°C. The average July temperature ranges from 71° to 94°F. The average temperature ranges from 35°F to 56°F in December.

The average annual rainfall in Rusk County is 45 inches. Every year, around two inches of snowfall occur. Midway through November is when the first freeze occurs, and it lasts until midway through March.

Ground Cover

Rusk County has a landmass of nine hundred thirty-two square miles. Slopes, valleys, and glens make up most of the terrain. Parts of the area are elevated due to the region’s iron-topped hills cutting across the middle.

Clay and lignite blanket the light-colored, deep sandy soil in the county. There are over two dozen different trees in the region, especially in the highlands. There are a variety of trees in this area, including red pines, white pines, post oaks, blackjacks, and hickories.

You’ll find various trees in the lowlands, primarily white oak, red oaks, and ash trees. Cherokee Bayou, Tiawichi Creek, and other damp areas are home to cypress trees. Johnson and burr clover species, as well as all other grasses, may be found in Bermuda. Blue daisies, cowslips, Sigrid, and black-eyed Susans are also abundant in the spring.

Metropolitan Area

Gregg, Rusk, and Upshur are the three northeastern Texas counties that make up the Longview metropolitan region.

During the oil booms of the 1920s and 1930s, the Longview-Marshall region flourished significantly. Longview’s downtown area is complete with old structures, many of which have been renovated.

However, in addition to its manufacturing and essential industrial enterprises, Longview is now home to retail, health care, and other service providers that cater to a wide range of customers throughout East Texas. The two largest employers in the region are Eastman Chemical and Good Shepherd Health System, both located nearby. Smaller enterprises also make recreational vehicles, heavy machinery, railroad carriages, and manufactured parts.

Where they have not been cut for cotton farming or other agricultural uses, giant trees and forests predominate in Longview, and East Texas, often characterized as “piney woodlands.”

County Offices

The county judge is the county government’s most prominent official. The county judge wields considerable judicial and administrative authority in his capacity as the county’s senior officer.

Joel Hale is the County Judge, and the physical address to the office is 115 North Main Street, Suite 104, Henderson, Texas 75652. Reach them through Phone at 903-657-0302 or Fax: 903-657-0300.

The county commissioner is in charge of roads and bridges in their area, making budgetary decisions. A quarter of the county’s residents vote to choose four commissioners each year. They work with the county judge to ensure the commissioners’ court is fair and does the right thing.

They are the only people who can sign contracts and charge all county structures and facilities.

Precinct 1 is headed by Randy Gaut and is available through Phone at 903-657-3030 or Fax: 903-657-1427.
Robert Kuykendall is Precinct’s 2 Commissioner and is available through Phone at 903-836-4347 or Fax 903-657-0324.
Greg Gibson leads Precinct 3 and is available through Phone: 903-822-3211 or Fax 903-657-0324.
Precinct 4 is headed by Bennie Whitworth and is readily available via Phone at 903-854-4627 or Fax 903-657-0324.

The district attorney investigates and gathers evidence to determine if criminal prosecution is warranted in their jurisdiction. Micheal E. Jimerson is the County & District Attorney of Rusk County. The address to the office is 115 North Main Street, Suite 302, Henderson, Texas 75652. Their phone number is 903-657-2265 or Fax: 903-657-0329.

The auditor reviews the county treasurer’s reports for any claims the county has made, posts requests for bids on supplies, and keeps a close eye on the county’s financial accounts and records in general. Rebekah Acres sits in the County Auditor’s office. The address to the office is 115 North Main Street, Henderson, Texas 75652. Through Fax at 903-657-9132 or via Phone at 903-657-0304.

Sheriffs protect the peace and executive officers of county and district courts. They serve court writs and procedures, seize property after a judge rules, enforce traffic rules on county roads, and look after inmates in the county jail. The county sheriff is Johnwayne Valdez, and the address to the office is 210 West Charlevoix, Henderson, Texas 75652. You may also get into contact through Fax 903-657-8726 or Phone at 903-657-3581.