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Terrell County TX
Terrell County


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SANDERSON, TEXAS

"Cactus Capital of Texas"

Suggested slogan: "Eat more cactus"
Terrell County Seat, West Texas

30° 8' 33" N, 102° 23' 39" W (30.1425, -102.394167)
Hwy 90
54 miles E of Marathon
65 miles SE of Ft. Stockton on Hwy 285
About 98 miles SW of Ozona
Population: 837 (2010) 861 (2000) 1,128 (1990)

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Kerr Brothers Store Sanderson Texas
The Kerr Brothers Store in Sanderson
Photo by John Troesser
Sanderson describes itself as the oasis between Del Rio and Alpine with the most affordable housing, the lowest gasoline prices and "cactus, cactus, cactus".



History in a Pecan Shell

According to the Handbook of Texas, Sanderson started life under the name of Strawbridge*, but was renamed after the man who built the railroad's roundhouse, Thomas P. Sanderson, a construction engineer. The name change seems appropriate. (Strawbridge sounds like a name that might be prone to railroad mishaps.)

(Correction on the naming of Sanderson, see reader's comments.)

Terrell County was named after Texas Legislator and Civil War General Alexander Terrell.



Sanderson, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions


Terrell County Courthouse, Sanderson, Texas old photo
Photo courtesy TXDoT

Terrell County Courthouse

Sanderson Texas depot Sanderson Train Depot, circa 1882
TE photo

Sanderson High School Sanderson High School, circa 1930
TE photo

Train robbers tombstone in Texas The Sanderson Cemetery
TE photo

Sanderson  Tx Masonic Lodge



The Masonic Lodge
TE Photo

Terrell County Museum Terrell County Historical Museum
915-345-2285
211 East Mansfield Street.
The building is one of the oldest in town (c.1910).
TE photo



Sanderson Chronicles
  • The Tall Texan: The Story of Ben Kilpatrick by Arthur Soule
  • The Last Full-Sized Train Robbery in Texas by Brewster Hudspeth

  • Related Article
  • Ten County Seats You're Not Likely to Visit



  • Kerr Hotel, Sanderson, Texas
    Old postcard images of Sanderson, Texas
    Courtesy of THC

    Your trip to Big Bend doesn't have to start in Sanderson, but it makes an excellent starting point. You get to see the western sunset and enjoy walking the safe, but occasionally deer-crowded streets of Sanderson. Soak up the tranquility for the trip ahead and in the morning start out refreshed for what promises to be a busy day with the sun to your back.

    Sanderson Tourist Information
    A walking and windshield tour of Sanderson can be obtained at the Visitor's Center on Hwy 90 and 3rd St.
    Official website - Website: http://www.sandersontx.info/
  • Sanderson Chamber of Commerce: 432-345-2676
  • Terrell County Economic and Tourism Development: 432-345-2275.

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    Fort Stockton Hotels | Ozona Hotels | More Hotels |

  • Princess Theatre
    Princess Theatre
    TE photo



    Sanderson, Texas Forum
  • Sanderson, Texas High School Photos

  • Terrell County will celebrate its Centennial July 1-4, 2005 in the county seat of Sanderson. - Christine Hinkle, March 17, 2005

  • *Error on Sanderson
    Enjoyed your website. One correction -

    Text: Sanderson started life under the name of Strawbridge, but was renamed after the man who built the railroad's roundhouse, Thomas P. Sanderson, a construction engineer.

    The name was originally Strobridge as described below:

    Reflecting its importance to the railroad, the future town was first called Strobridge after the president of the transcontinental railroad construction company. Originally slated to be the midway site where the rail building efforts from San Antonio and El Paso would join, work fell behind in the canyon country and the golden spike joining the two was driven far east of Sanderson. Strobridge was later named Sanderson after railroad Engineer Joseph P. Sanderson. - David Hitchcock, AICP, MRCP, The Woodlands, TX, August 27, 2004

  • Sanderson continues to maintain its population and is in fact growing slowly. There are so many wonderful and positive things happening in this town - the US Border Patrol is increasing its presence and bringing in families; the Terrell County ISD is bringing in change; and the county government is encouraging rural development and Main Street beautification.

    There are some really wonderful events and festivals that take place during the year, with perhaps the July 4 celebration being the one that is held most dearly in the town's heart. The first week of April brings bikers galore for the Buzzard Rally, and the end of the month sees racing and high-performance cars compete in the Big Bend Road Race. Please check our official web site for a complete list of events and activities, or for more information about our county. - Lauren Lampe, Webmaster http://www.sandersontx.info, July 12, 2004


  • Sanderson was noted for its great abundance of cactus, but not that it was nationally famous as a prime peyote gathering area in the '60's and 70's. Keep up the good work....and we're glad there's nothing on Louisiana. - D.G. Brock, Los Angeles



  • Take a road trip

    Sanderson, Texas Nearby Towns:
    Marathon
    Ft. Stockton
    Ozona
    See Terrell County | West Texas

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    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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