Editing Sanderson, Texas (section)

==History==
Sanderson was founded in 1882. It was a division point for the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]], where refueling and crew changes on its main transcontinental route took place. Mohair and wool production on surrounding ranches formed a significant part of the economy. The community entered in an economic decline when the operations involving sheep and goats decreased.

A devastating flood in June 1965 killed 26 people and washed away homes and businesses near the usually dry Sanderson Creek. Since then, many flood-control dams have been erected across the arroyos upstream from the town.<ref>Swanya Howell Pitts, "SANDERSON, TX," Handbook of Texas Online</ref>

An illustrated tour brochure guides visitors past 50 historic sites,<ref>Terrell County~Cactus Capital of Texas</ref> including several notable buildings remaining from the town's more prosperous era. The 1906 Courthouse was built to designs by [[Henry Phelps]], but the still-graceful building was much modified in 1932, in 1950, and again in 1983. Facing the courthouse square is the little-changed 1931 [[Art Deco]]-style Sanderson High School, designed by [[Ralph W. Cameron]], one of San Antonio's leading architects of the period. A handsome Deco frieze above the entranceway illustrates TRUTH CULTURE PROGRESS SUCCESS. Nearby is a [[Classical Revival]] structure built as a Masonic Lodge, but used for many years now as a private residence.

After regulations changed in 1995, the Southern Pacific ended the practice of changing train crews (and overnighting them) in Sanderson. By 2013, the community had lost most of the businesses it had during its peak, and the population was half of what it had been at its peak.<ref name=MacCormack>MacCormack, John. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/In-fading-town-the-news-is-back-5094966.php In fading town, the news is back]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. December 27, 2013. Retrieved on December 27, 2013. - [http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/In-fading-town-the-news-is-back-5092898.php Also available from] the ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]''. "In fading town, the news is back", December 25, 2013.</ref>

Two tornadoes struck Sanderson on June 2, 2024, significantly damaging or destroying several homes and injuring 12 people. These tornadoes were rated EF1 and EF3 on the [[Enhanced Fujita scale]].<ref>{{cite report|author=National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa, Texas|title=On June 3rd, the National Weather Service sent a survey team to investigate a tornado report from severe weather that impacted portions of Terrell County on June 2nd, including the town of Sanderson|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSMAF&e=202406041557|publisher=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|date=June 4, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024}}</ref>