Field Guides
Henrietta, Texas
(Clay COUNTY)
Ranch land, small-town pride, and Texas tradition alive and well.
Highlights
Clay County and its county seat of Henrietta might serve as the Texas version of Mayberry, offering quintessential small-town living. By the way, there is a “Thornberry” in the county. There is also abundant nature, including the Red River and Lake Arrowhead State Park. Grab a pole, a rifle, or binoculars and spend some quality outdoor time. Henrietta also boasts an active square worth touring. Henrietta is relatively close (18 miles) to a relatively big city (Wichita Falls, population 102,000), so the conveniences are available.
The County Courthouse
Clay County’s courthouse is among the oldest in the state. It has been continuously used in its present structure since 1884. In its early days, the building was multi-use, with rooms rented for law offices, a lodge room, and a dance hall. Through the early 20th century, there was an ice cream parlor, but salt damaged the building, and the commissioners put an end to the fun.
The building is an Italianate combination of brick and sandstone. It once had an impressive clock tower, which was removed for unknown reasons. A wider but shorter dome has replaced it. The courthouse is notable for its unusual “Greek Cross” design. While the mature trees that fill the lawn obscure the view somewhat, the structure is well-maintained and dominates the square, as it should.
Things To See And Do
Contrary to popular myth, North Central Texas is not a desert. Lake Arrowhead proves that fact. At over 16,000 acres, the lake is large enough to offer any type of lake activity you may want. The lake is also far from overpopulated areas and has a relaxing, quiet feel. In addition to fishing, boating, and swimming, the park offers hiking, camping, birding, and disc golf. To the north, the Red River is great for catfish and largemouth bass.
If the hunt is your thing, Clay County teems with variety. Whitetail deer and feral hogs are abundant, but migrating waterfowl and quail are great in-season. There is an active lease market, lodges, and guides.
One of Texas’s more interesting roadside attractions is the “Dinosaur Parade” in the parking lot of the Texas Best Convenience Store in Henrietta. The Rocking M Ranch Distillery creates unique Texas spirits. A tasting room and on-site store are open most days from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Finally, in Henrietta, a visit to the 1890 Jail Center and Heritage Museum is a must.
Food, Drinks, And Music (Eat Local!)
The good thing is that if you want to eat local, you will not spend too much time making a selection. Let’s start at the high end. The Open Table wins rave reviews for a date night, an elevated casual eatery. Bull Malarkey’s is basically your grandmother making Sunday dinner without putting your grandmother to the trouble. Great burgers and sandwiches can be had at Texas Best Beef Jerky. Bonus points if you eat the jerky for dessert. Big Momma’s Tortilla Y Mas and Jefe’s Bar and Grill cover the Tex-Mex scene. There is healthy competition in the pizza space between Roma’s Pizza and Milano’s Pizza and Chicken.
Elsewhere in the county, Wholly Frijole in Petrolia earns high marks. The same is true for Dean’s Cafe and Catering in Dean, but the latter is remodeling due to an electrical fire. They say they will be back soon.
Where To Drop A Dime (Shop Local!)
This may sound weird, but trust us. The Pecan Shed is memorable and will open your eyes to the greatness of the Pecan. P|K Beauty & Boutique and Cow Palace Couture are both nifty boutiques for clothes, gifts, and little treasures. Vintage and antiques are at Aunt Pam’s Closet and Rusty Trunk Vintage Mall. Waggoner’s Boot Center has your back for Western Wear more of the work variety.
If the hunt is your thing and you want access or local knowledge, there are at least these resources:
Texas Duck ‘N’ Dove (based in Nocona, but with Clay County property)
Special Places To Lay Your Head (Stay Local!)
If you want fancy, try this Secluded Getaway or head to nearby Wichita Falls. If you want peaceful and rustic, try:
Hunting lodges that might be booked by non-hunters in the off-season include Lone Star Hunts, Wing Sport Depot, and Hapgood Ranch Hunts
For The Professional Traveller (Campgrounds and RV Parks)
Also, look next door at Wichita County for many more options.
Special Events
Clay County has more than its share of parties. Turkey Fest is a big one, held not at Thanksgiving but in April. That often coincides with a community-wide Easter egg hunt. Twice a year, the first Friday/Saturday in June and September, you can treasure hunt to your heart’s content at the multi-county Highway 287/82 Garage Sale. The biggest event, however, is the Clay County Pioneer Reunion and Rodeo every September. The Christmas season also sees a lot of activity on the square.
Fore! (Golf Courses)
Unfortunately, there is no golf in the county. However, options are close by in Wichita, Jack, and Young counties.
Getting To Clay County
Clay County is in far north central Texas, before the Panhandle starts. The county borders Oklahoma and is just east of Wichita Falls. Henrietta sits on State HWY 287, which runs south/east and north/west between Wichita Falls and the Denton area. State HWY 148 bisects Henrietta with a north/south course. State HWY 281 runs parallel to 148 about 20 miles to the west, becoming the new I-44 just north of Wichita Falls. Other interstates are over 100 miles away. That puts Henrietta three hours, 40 minutes north/northeast of drive time from the state’s geographic center in Brady. Windshield time from other Texas cities can be found here.
Wichita Falls Regional Airport is only 20 minutes away, but handles American Airlines exclusively. Almost any airline other than Southwest is a two-hour drive from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Southwest is a bit farther at Dallas Love Field. In addition to Wichita Falls, small craft might use Henrietta Airport, Pierce Airport (private use), or Mathews Airport (private use).
History
The first inhabitants of this area were early hunter-gatherers. In the mid-eighteenth century, they were joined by migrating bands of the Wichita and Taovaya Indians from the northwest. Spanish exploration began in the mid-1700s as explorers traversed the area without establishing settlements. As the Apache and then the Comanche grew in power, they claimed the area. Horses had been introduced to the local Native tribes at this point, transforming their previous subsistence farming culture and setting the stage for conflicts with Anglo settlers.
The earliest Anglo settlers arrived around 1850, settling along the south fork of the Wichita River. The county was named after Henry Clay, the American Statesman and architect of the Compromise of 1850. At the start of the Civil War, only 109 families had settled here. Henrietta was the largest town, consisting of ten homes and a general store. Because Indians were a persistent concern, most abandoned the area, not to return until the 1870s when US forces returned from the Civil War. Fort Sill in Oklahoma became a hub of resettlement of displaced tribes, so occasional clashes persisted.
By 1873, the county was reorganized, leading to more families moving in to begin ranching and farming grain, corn, and cotton. 1882 brought the expansion of the Denver Fort Worth Railway and more opportunities for commerce and growth. Once this boom occurred, the county was incorporated, and Henrietta was chosen as its county seat.
The county’s growth led to many prosperous farms, and the cotton culture thrived. However, the Great Depression devastated this farming community in the 1930s. Against a backdrop of heavy borrowing and tenant sharecropping with the next year’s crop as collateral, prices dropped, and farms failed. Between 1930 and 1940, the depression and the World War forced many to transition from farming to cattle ranching.
The move from farming to ranching county-wide reduced the population. Today, Clay County has a population of 10,218. Politically, the county remained Democratic longer than most, not voting consistently for the GOP presidential candidate until 2000. Today, however, the county is deep red, with almost 90% of the population voting for President Trump in 2024.
Today, the county is overwhelmingly Caucasian and non-Hispanic. Hispanics make up 6% of the population, and African-Americans or mixed-race persons make up even less. Clay County’s high school graduation rate is well above the state and national averages, while its Bachelor’s degree rate is well below. Median Income is about at the Texas average.
Over the years, Clay County has had several notable personalities: Boogie Woogie Blues singer from the 1950s, Charlie Arthur; Rodeo Cowboy, Charles “Cowboy” Morgan Evans; Dallas socialite Lori McGee Oliphint; and photographer Chuck Stewart.
Primary Sources:
Texas State Historical Society
Famous People of Clay County, Texas