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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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 Train Depot, circa 1882
TE photo

Sanderson High School, circa 1930
TE photo

The Sanderson Cemetery
TE photo

The Masonic Lodge
TE Photo

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

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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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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