The population of Sanderson City, Texas is around eight hundred. It is a small town located about an hour's drive southeast of Fort Stockton. While it is a small community, it is still very rough around the edges. The population is diverse. Many people have Irish, German, and American ancestry.
The town was originally part of Pecos County and developed during the mid-1880s. The area was opened for settlement in anticipation of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad staking out a route through the area. The townsite was laid out by Cyrus W. Wilson who bought land near a designated stop on the railroad and developed it as a townsite. In 1900, the population was 112 and there was a post office there.
In the early 20th century, the town had a large train depot. It was important for the town's growth. There was an organization that was formed to save the depot, but they failed to raise enough funds. The depot was torn down in October 2012. Sadly, the town no longer has that important landmark.
Sanderson, Texas is located along the picturesque Pecos Trail. The town's location made it a popular destination for tourists. The railroad also provided jobs for local residents. By the early 1900s, cattle ranching began to develop in the area and the Southern Pacific Railroad provided the means to move the animals to market. In the 1950s, oil and gas production also began in the area.