Athens
Chosen as the seat of Henderson County in 1850, Athens was so named because it was expected to become the cultural center of the state, as was its namesake, Athens, Greece. The city is located 76 miles southeast of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on U.S. 175, and is home of Trinity Valley Community College.
Hamburgers, the great American fast-food staple, were created in late 1800s by Fletcher Davis, who was a vendor on the Courthouse square. Athens is home to the Annual Texas Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, the oldest such event in the U.S., which is held the last Friday in May on the Courthouse lawn. Visitors can find shopping opportunities for antiques and unique gifts.
Purtis Creek Lake
Purtis Creek State Recreation Area is a 1,533-acre park that includes the 355-acre Purtis Creek Lake. Following its construction, the reservoir was stocked with Florida largemouth bass, channel catfish, copper-nose…
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Athens Scuba Park
With underwater visibility of up to 70 feet, there's no telling what you might see…
Learn more →East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society
The 100-acre East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society features walking trails and a bluebird trail.…
Learn more →Henderson County Historical Museum
Vintage and antique memorabilia are displayed in the 1896 Faulk-Gauntt building. The first floor exhibits…
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