Murchison
Murchison, Texas, located in Henderson County, originated as a Caddo Indian tribal ground before being settled and renamed from Lindsey to Murchison in 1880, honoring Confederate officer T.F. Murchison. The town grew as a St. Louis Southwestern Railway station, reaching a population of 592 by 2000, and is known today for its rural community, proximity to Lake Palestine, and the Black Beauty Ranch animal sanctuary. A telephone connection was installed by 1914, and the Murchison Star newspaper was active around 1915. The population grew from roughly 100 in 1884 to 371 by 1940, and peaked around 685 in 1982, before settling around 592 by 2000. The city's proximity to Lake Palestine and Cedar Creek Reservoir makes it a center for fishing and boating.
