Rusk County

Rusk County is an administrative division in East Texas with Henderson as its county seat. The territory includes several smaller towns and rural areas characterized by forests and grassland.

The county was established in 1843 by the Congress of the Republic of Texas and named after Thomas Jefferson Rusk, the republic's secretary of war. The land had previously been home to Caddoan peoples and later Cherokee communities.

The county territory changed from Caddoan peoples to Cherokee settlements in 1819, leading to the Treaty of Bowles Village in 1836.

The county provides online services through its website for residents and visitors. Information on property taxes, administrative matters, and local services is readily accessible.

In 1937, one of Texas's worst school disasters occurred in this county when a gas explosion struck a school. The event led to important safety improvements in schools.

Location: Texas

Inception: 1843

Capital city: Henderson

Shares border with: Smith County, Gregg County, Harrison County, Panola County, Shelby County, Nacogdoches County, Cherokee County

Website: http://co.rusk.tx.us

GPS coordinates: 32.11000,-94.76000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:08