07/08/2026
Col. Jack Henderson
Col. John D. “Jack” Henderson, an explorer who led wagon trains from Missouri to Colorado during the early gold frenzy, founded the settlement he named Henderson on the east bank of the South Platte River. As the story goes, Henderson arrived in Denver in 1858 with a load of groceries from Kansas, consisting mainly of wh***ey and crackers. Henderson was unable to afford hay for his oxen at the inflated prices at the mining camp, so he turned the team out on the prairie, expecting them to die during the winter. However, while out hunting the following spring, he found them fat and healthy, well-fed on buffalo grass. Henderson knew that the new settlements were hungry for fresh beef, so he set out to find an area that would support cattle. Henderson’s choice of location was influenced by the availability of tall grass for livestock and by an island in the river’s center, which allowed for an easier crossing. It was reported that he “squatted” on 320 acres on the Platte River. But others claim he bought the land from the Indians for “two barrels of wh***ey”. By 1861, Henderson had 2,000 head of cattle. Originally named Henderson Island, the island was later renamed Island Station before the name Henderson was adopted in 1894. During its first few decades, the community served as little more than a stagecoach stop. A small cluster of houses was built, and a saloon was constructed to serve the thirsty travelers. Then followed a church, railroad tracks, and a small post office.
