In 1859, Henderson built a ranch, trading post and hotel on Henderson Island in the South Platte River in Arapaho County, Kansas Territory, from which he sold meat and provisions to gold seekers on their way up the South Platte River Trail to the gold fields during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
Henderson's venture in 1859 involved building a ranch, trading post, and hotel on Henderson Island in the South Platte River, Kansas Territory. He supplied essential goods to miners traveling up the river trail to the gold fields during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.