1790 (June 13) A land entry by William Mills refers to a slave. Black slaves entered the county with their owners.
1827 Charles and Susan Baring, first of summer visitors from Charleston, S.C., arrive in Flat Rock community and build “the Mountain Lodge.”
1838 Establishment of Henderson County from Old Buncombe County, included most of today’s Transylvania County and some of today’s Polk County.
1839 First court meets at home of Hugh Johnson. County government is organized. First Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions.
1840 Census for county: 4,662 whites, 466 slaves, 35 free blacks
1841 Referendum election to determine county seat. River Party vs. Road Party. Road Party wins by 463-354 vote. Judge Mitchell King conveys 50 acres for county seat and John Johnson and James Brittain convey 29 acres.
1841 Land surveyed to build new town of Hendersonville.
1841 First building built in county seat. Torn down for parking lot in late 1900s
1841-42 First courthouse is built.
1844 Approximately half of today’s Polk County was annexed to Henderson County from Rutherford County.
1847 Hendersonville incorporated.
1850 Census for county: 5,892 whites, 924 slaves, 37 free blacks.
1851 Area of most of today’s Fletcher was ceded to Henderson County from Buncombe County.
1855 Polk County was created and that part of Henderson County ceded by Rutherford County to Henderson County in 1844 was ceded to the new county of Polk. (Henderson County still had some land that is today in Polk County).
1860 Census for county: 8,981 whites, 1,382 slaves, 85 free blacks
1861 Transylvania County formed from Henderson County and Jackson County