Research for an article about East Texas wineries that was published in the October 2011 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Text for an article about East Texas wineries that was published in the October 2011 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Article about East Texas wineries that was published in the October 2011 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

Photograph of a lovely seasonal fall display with pumpkins, flowers, cornstalks, and hay bales, arranged around a tree outside the Henderson County Courthouse.

Photograph of the Henderson County Courthouse, built 1913 by Architect L. L. Thurman

Photograph of the Henderson County Courthouse.

Photograph of a family posing outside the Henderson County Courthouse.

Photograph of a historic marker. It reads: "Courts Under the Oaks. Henderson County was established in 1846, the year after Texas was annexed by the United States. In 1850, after previous reductions in the county's original size, the present boundaries were set by the Texas Legislature. The restructuring resulted in the need for a new county seat, and the legislature appointed a Commissioners Court to select possible sites and to conduct an election that would determine the permanent seat of government. The voters chose the property of Matthew Cartwright, a prominent east Texas landowner, for the townsite of Athens in Samuel Huffer's survey for the new County seat. This site was set aside as the public square. Before a courthouse was constructed here, early district court sessions were conducted on the square under a large shady oak tree. The first district court term, held in October 1850, was presided over by Judge Oran M. Roberts, later a Texas Supreme Court Justice and Governor of the State. Cases he heard included charges of murder, larceny, gambling, defaulting jurors and assault and battery. Begun before the development of Athens, the Courts under the Oaks reflected the democratic goals and ideals of the …

Navy Recruitment Sign on the grounds of the Henderson County Courthouse. "Navy. It's not just a job, it's an adventure."

County Judge Winston Reagan Commissioner Pct. I - Jim Blakeney Commissioner Pct. II - Fred Box Commissioner Pct. III - Cleburn Shavor Commissioner Pct. IV - Joe Young A Sesquicentennial Project J. R. (Bob) Pickle County Chairman Dedicated to the Athens Fiddlers Association Bob McGee - Chairman

Time Capsule. Athens, Henderson, Texas. Buried July 4, 1976, to be opened July 4, 2076. So you might better know us.

War Memorial, Henderson County.

War Memorial, Henderson County. Dedicated Nov. 11, 1979. Placed during the tenure of Judge Winston Reagan 1971-1991. Commissioners Court, Jim Blakeney Prec. 1, Fred Box, Prec. 2, Weldon Featherston, Prec. 3, Leland Tarrant, Prec. 4.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.

Video footage from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, to accompany a news story.