Henderson

Henderson is located along the Ohio River in Western Kentucky. We're where the South meets the Midwest!

Our neighbors include Evansville, Ind. (located 10 miles away, across the Ohio River; we're part of the Evansville-Henderson Metropolitan Statistical Area) and, 30 miles to the east, Owensboro, Ky.

We're located about a two-hour drive west of Louisville, which is Kentucky's biggest city.

Our diverse economy is based on:

Industry. We're home to more than 60 industries that produce everything from automotive and heavy-truck components to gourmet coffee and processed chicken and provide almost one-third of our more than 20,000 local jobs.

For more information about Henderson business and industry:
Henderson Businesses on the Web
Henderson business news
Henderson Economic Development Council or call (270) 826-7505
Henderson industrial sites and available buildings
Henderson Chamber of Commerce or call (270) 826-9531

Agriculture. Our fertile soils and sophisticated farmers make Henderson County one of Kentucky's top three producers of corn and soybeans.

For more information about agriculture here:
Henderson County Extension Service or call (270) 826-8387
Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Service or call (502) 582-5293

Tourism. We're the home of the John James Audubon State Park and Museum and the Ellis Park thoroughbred racetrack. Great riverboats such as the American Queen and the Delta Queen make regular visits at our riverfront.

For more information about tourism in and around Henderson:
Henderson County Tourist Commission or call 1-800-648-3128 or (270) 826-3128
Green River Tourism Committee or call (270) 926-4433
Official Kentucky Vacation Guide: Henderson
Official Kentucky Vacation Guide or call 1-800-225-8747
Kentucky State Parks or call 1-800-255-7275

Henderson was mapped out in 1797, giving us two of our great legacies: Central Park, the oldest public park west of the Allegheny Mountains, and our wide, beautiful downtown streets.

Henderson County was established in 1798, and the city of Henderson was incorporated in 1810. In the late 19th Century, Henderson thrived as it became the world's biggest dark-tobacco market.

Among our famous former residents: John James Audubon, who became the world's most famous painter of birds and other wildlife, and W.C. Handy, known as the Father of the Blues.

Mayor Joan Hoffman (office phone: 270/831-1200)
City commissioner Michele Deep
City commissioner Robbie Mills
City commissioner Russell Sights
City commissioner Bob Hall
City Manager Jeff Broughton (office phone: 270/831-1200)
Police Chief Ed Brady (office phone: 270/831-1295)
Fire Chief Terry Lewis (office phone: 270/831-1277)
Codes Administrator Becky Watson (office phone: 270/831-1277)
Water-Sewer Utilities General Manager John Tapp (office phone: 270/826-2421)
Gas System Director Owen R. Reeves (office phone: 270/831-1200)
Municipal Power and Light General Manager Jeff Garner (office phone: 270/826-2726)
Parks and Recreation Director Emily Gilliam (office phone: 270/831-1200)
Public Works Director X.R. Royster (office phone: 270/831-1200)

Henderson County-judge Executive: Sandy Watkins (office phone: 270/826-3971)
Magistrate Charlie Alexander
Magistrate Jimmy Hicks
Magistrate Bev Key
Magistrate Hugh McCormick
Magistrate Joe Pruden
County attorney Charles McCollom (office phone: 270/827-5753)
Property Valuation Administrator Steve Hargis (office phone: 270/827-6024)
County Clerk Wilma Martin (office phone: 270/826-3906)
County Jailer Miles Hart (office phone: 270/827-5560)
County Codes Administrator Terry Maish (office phone: 270/827-6030)
County Treasurer's office Becky Carroll (office phone: 270/826-3233)

Henderson Circuit Judge Steve Hayden (office phone: 270/827-1295)
Henderson Circuit Court Clerk "Sonny" Burton (office phone: 270/826-2405)
Commonwealth's Attorney William Markwell (office phone: 270/826-3963)
Henderson District Judge Rob Wiederstein (office phone: 270/826-4755)
Henderson District Judge Kent Watson (office phone: 270/826-4755)
Henderson District Court Clerk (office phone: 270/826-1566)
County attorney Charles McCollom (office phone: 270/827-5753)

The Henderson County Board of Education
meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month
at the Board of Education Office, 1805 Second St.

Chairman: David McKechnie
Board member: Mike Burleson
Board member: Donald H. Smith
Board member: Mike Waller
Board member: Dee Ann Wood

The following is a list of administrators who work at the Board of Education Office, 1805 Second St., Henderson, Ky. 42420. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 831-5000. The fax number is (270) 831-5009. The Job Line is (270) 831-5018.

• John W. Vaughan, superintendent
• Mike Freels, deputy superintendent of curriculum
• Rebecca Cole, director of elementary/special education
• Walt Spencer, director of finance
• James Long, assistant superintendent of personnel
• Tom Hurt, director of student services/transportation
• Sue Williams, coordinator of public relations
• John A. Eblen, director of maintenance (Direct line: 270-831-5132)
• Rhonda Gillham, social worker

The following is a list of administrators who work at the Center for Support Services, 1805 Second St., Henderson, Ky. 42420. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 831-5010. The fax number is (270) 831-5016. The school food service number is (270) 831-5015.

• Bonnie Kitchens, special education coordinator
• Chris Matthews, school psychologist
• William B. Hearn III, school psychologist/multicultural coordinator
• Ricky S. Brenner, school psychologist
• Laura McGrail, school psychologist
• Stacy Hendricks, school psychologist
• Marganna Stanley, student assistance program (SAP) coordinator
• Shelia Redmon, food service operations coordinator
• Nancy Satterfield, director of support programs/grants
• Janice Smith, technology coordinator
• Martha Stuckey, preschool consultant

   

For more information about Henderson Community College: http://www.hencc.uky.edu/index.htm

John James Audubon State Park and Museum on U.S. 41-North in Henderson. The museum includes the world's largest gathering of John James Audubon memorabilia and one of the most extensive collections of his work in the world; museum phone: (270) 827-1893. The state park covers 692 acres including a 28-acre lake, a 325-acre nature preserve (naturalist: 270/826-4424) and a challenging nine-hole golf course (pro shop: 270/826-5546). Accomodations include six lakeside cabins (reservations: 270/826-2247) and a camping site with 69 trailer and tent sites (no reservations -- first-come, first-served; camping office: 826-5939). State park toll-free number: 1-800-255-7275.

Casino Aztar , a casino boat with restaurants and entertainment, located 10 minutes away at Evansville.

Ellis Park on U.S. 41-North at Henderson, a thoroughbred race that offers live racing from from late June to Labor Day and simulcast racing year-round. Information: (800) 333-8110 or (270) 826-0608

Lake Barkley , Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area , offering boating, fishing, skiing, camping, resorts and other entertainment just two hours away by four-lane parkway.

The Tri-Fest, featuring food booths, a carnival, music and other entertainment in downtown Henderson in April

W.C. Handy Blues Festival, a free music festival in downtown Henderson in mid-June

W.C. Handy Barbecue Contest , the official Kentucky State Barbecue Championship, which coincides with the Handy Blues Festival in mid-June

Bluegrass in the Park , a free Bluegrass music festival in downtown Henderson in August

Big Rivers Arts and Crafts Festival at Audubon State Park in early October

Christmas in the Park, featuring lights, decorations and visits by Santa in Central Park

Henderson sees all four seasons: Spring, summer, fall and winter. Springs and falls are mild, summers are hot and winters are chilly. Precipitation falls year-round, averaging 44.8 inches annually. Snowfall averages 15.9 inches per winter, but is highly variable from year to year.

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