Sanderson, Texas
Sanderson is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Terrell County, Texas, United States.[3] The population was 861 at the 2000 census. Sanderson was created in 1882 as a part of neighboring Pecos County. It became the seat of Terrell County in 1905.
Originally named Strowbridge, Sanderson served as a division point for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was eventually renamed in honor of Thomas P. Sanderson, an engineer who was in charge of building a roundhouse for the railroad at the town.[4]
The railroad depot at Sanderson is vacant and in danger of being demolished by Union Pacific. One half-million dollars in Transportation Enhancement Act for the 21st Century grant money was awarded Terrell County in 2002 for complete restoration of the depot. It was to become a transportation museum and tourist destination, but this effort was defeated by incoming Terrell County Judge Leo C. Smith, Jr., and the grant money was returned to the Texas Department of Transportation. Many other interesting structures remain in Sanderson, including the Trost & Trost-designed Kerr Mercantile building, the Masonic Lodge, Sanderson High School and the Railroad Bunkhouse.
There is an exceptionally large deer population in the area, making it a destination for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
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Geography
Sanderson is located at 30°8′28″N 102°23′45″W / 30.14111°N 102.39583°W (30.141024, -102.395924)[5].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 861 people, 356 households, and 237 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 205.7 people per square mile (79.3/km²). There were 635 housing units at an average density of 151.7/sq mi (58.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.88% White, 2.09% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 9.18% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.45% of the population.
There were 356 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,594, and the median income for a family was $29,500. Males had a median income of $22,946 versus $14,453 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,714. About 21.8% of families and 26.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 31.4% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
- Sanderson (Amtrak station)
- Terrell County Airport is nearby, providing general aviation service.
Culture
Sanderson is the location of the trailer park where Llewellyn Moss lives in the film No Country for Old Men.
The 2001 movie Dirt, also known as Dumber Than Dirt, was filmed in Sanderson.
On June 11, 1965 at approximately 6 a.m., Sanderson was devastated by a flash flood coming out of Sanderson Canyon as the result of a torrential downpour. Most of the residents were still sleeping and caught by surprise. There were accounts of heroism as Anglos and Hispanics worked together to save lives. Unfortunately, whole families were wiped out, and lives were changed forever. Years of segregation ended, as tragedy worked to bring the community together.
Sanderson attracts herpetologists, as it is the home of the much-sought-after grey-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna).
Places of interest
The Outback Oasis Motel, owned by Roy Engeldorf, is also known as "The Snake House."
Notable residents
- Alexander Terrell, a statesman and brigadier general of the Confederacy in the American Civil War, is the namesake of Terrell County. He served in the Texas State Legislature and was the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey under U.S. President Grover Cleveland.
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ . National Association of Counties. . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/hjs7.html
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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Categories: Cities in Texas | Terrell County, Texas | Census-designated places in Texas | County seats in Texas | Texas communities with Hispanic majority populations
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