1797
Henderson sits on a bend of the river, across from Evansville. The town was platted in 1797 on land from a grant to the Richard Henderson company. It has faced north over the water ever since.
Downtown is brick and awnings. Five historic districts are on the National Register. The high school plays in maroon.
1810–1819
John James Audubon lived in Henderson from 1810 to 1819. He ran a mill and a store near Main and Second, failed at both, and kept drawing birds.
The state park on the north edge of town holds a stone museum of his plates, a round tower, and woods that stay quiet on a Sunday.
1887
Mary Towles Sasseen taught at Center Street School. In 1887 she held a Mother's Day with her pupils on April 20, her own mother's birthday. She printed a pamphlet and took the idea to other schools.
The Kentucky General Assembly later recognized her as the originator of the idea. A state marker stands on Center Street. Congress made the second Sunday in May a national holiday in 1914.
1992
The Rockford Peaches boarding house in the movie is a real house: the Soaper-Esser house at 612 North Main Street. Crews used the outside and rooms inside. It is still a private home. Look from the sidewalk. Do not knock.
Most of the picture was shot in Illinois and Evansville. Henderson got the house.
Places
John James Audubon State Park
Museum, nature center, trails, and the stone tower. Audubon lived in Henderson from 1810 to 1819.
Ohio Riverwalk
Paved riverfront looking north at Evansville and the truss.
The Depot Welcome Center
101 North Water Street. Pick up the downtown audio walking tour here.
Historic downtown walking tour
Self-guided. Victorian houses from the tobacco years, storefronts, and the movie house.
Central Park and the Rebecca fountain
Washington, Main, Elm, and First. The park was drawn on the 1797 plat. The fountain is a replica of the 1892 original.
Audubon bird sculptures
Sixteen bronze birds by Raymond Graf around downtown, plus one at the state park. Thirteen hide extra critters.
Soaper-Esser house
612 North Main. Boarding house for the Rockford Peaches in A League of Their Own (1992). Private home. Look from the sidewalk.
Mother's Day marker
Center Street. Mary Towles Sasseen first observed Mother's Day with her pupils here in 1887.
North Main Pink House
A stop on the tourist commission walking tour.
Ellis Park
Summer Thoroughbred meet south of town.
Fernwood Cemetery
Mary Towles Sasseen is buried here.
Photo: hEnDeRsOn, kY / Wikimedia, CC BY 3.0.
Photo: Bpluke01 / Wikimedia, CC BY 4.0.