History thumb|right|Former Henderson County Courthouse, now used as the Henderson County Heritage Museum The county was formed in 1838 from the southern part of Buncombe County. It was named for Leonard Henderson, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1829 to 1833. There is no evidence Henderson ever passed through the area.
History thumb|right|Former Henderson County Courthouse now used as the Henderson County Heritage Museum The county was formed in 1838 from the southern part of Buncombe County. It was named for Leonard Henderson, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1829 to 1833. There is no evidence Henderson ever passed through the area.