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 October 09, 2008 | Anderson County Courthouse Texas County Courthouse Project #50: Anderson County (Palestine, Texas) Anderson County was named for the last Vice President of the Republic of Texas, Kenneth Lewis Anderson. He was only 39 when he died from fever at the Fanthorp Inn located in what would become the town of Anderson in Grimes County. Had he lived it is likely he would have been elected as the first governor of the newly annexed state. His law partner, James Pinckney Henderson, was elected the first governor in 1845. Palestine (pronounced Pal-as-teen) was chosen as the county seat because no other town was as close to the center of the county. Early settler Daniel Parker named the new town after his former home, Palestine, Illinois. That town in Illinois was named after the Biblical Palestine by French explorer Jean LaMotte in 1678. Palestine, Texas was the home of Texas’ 24th Governor, Thomas M. Campbell (born in Rusk). It is also the home of country music singer Gene Watson and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. After Anderson County’s 1883 courthouse fell victim to arson, the current 1914 building was erected. The interior boasts a large spiral staircase and a beautiful stained glass skylight under the dome. After a few unremarkable courthouses this was a nice change of pace. 
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