Texas Porch

County History

How Terrell County Was Built Around the Railroad

Terrell County was carved out of Pecos County in 1905, and the town of Sanderson grew up as a Southern Pacific Railroad stop in the 1880s.

Terrell County History & Culture

Before 1905, what is now Terrell County was part of Pecos County. The Texas Legislature officially created Terrell County on April 8, 1905, named after Alexander Watkins Terrell, a Texas statesman. Sanderson became the county seat that same year.

Sanderson itself started as a railroad camp in 1882, when the Southern Pacific Railroad built a roundhouse there. The town was renamed from Strawbridge to Sanderson after Thomas P. Sanderson, the construction engineer. The railroad brought ranchers, workers, and trade to the area. Ranching — especially sheep, Angora goats, and cattle — remained the economic backbone long after the railroad era ended. By 1970, more than one million pounds of wool and mohair were still being shipped out of Sanderson each year.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas — Terrell County

More Terrell County notes

Property Tax

Who Handles Your Property Tax in Terrell County

The appraisal district sets your property value and also collects taxes — the separate tax assessor office does not collect property taxes here.

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Agricultural Valuation

Ag Valuation Can Lower Your Tax Bill on Ranch Land

Land used for ranching or other qualifying agriculture is taxed on its productive value, not its market value — this can mean a much lower tax bill.

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Water Wells

Drilling a Water Well? You Need a Permit First.

Terrell County has its own groundwater conservation district, created by state law in 2011, that regulates new water wells.

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Hunting Regulations

Deer Hunting in Terrell County: Two Species, Different Rules

Terrell County has both white-tailed and mule deer, and each species has its own season dates and bag limits set by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

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