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.