Abstract:
Divided from Buncombe County, Henderson was established in 1837 and boasted of a mixed economy of agriculture, industry, and tourism. Cotton mills, hosiery mills, and thread companies made up the bulk of Henderson's industry. Tourists flocked to Henderson's mountain scenes especially during summer time heat waves when the county was much cooler than other state locales. Agricultural goods produced in Henderson included some crops but focused primarily on beef and dairy herds.