Buffalo, Texas, Henderson County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The now-defunct town of Buffalo was the first county seat of Henderson County and was established in the 1840s. A ferry on the Trinity River was in operation in 1846. When the Nacodoches District was split into Henderson, Kaufman, Van Zandt, Rockwall, Wood, and (part of) Rains counties, Buffalo was surveyed as the new county seat.

Investors were initially attracted to the promise of a river port county seat but the Texas Legislature reduced the size of the county in 1848 and a new center was needed. This new town was called Centerville but another reduction in 1850 caused Athens to be chosen as county seat and both Centerville and Buffalo became ghosts - although both names live on in other counties. (See Centerville and Buffalo in Leon County)

Shuffle off to Buffalo by Mike Cox

Next time you decide or need to shuffle off to Buffalo (Texas), best make sure your GPS knows which Buffalo, Texas you plan to visit... more

Henderson County 1920s map showing Trinity River
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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