Terrell County, Texas, is located in the state’s southwest corner. South of its border lies Mexico, Pecos County borders it to the North, Brewster sits on the West while Crockett and Va Verde Counties are on the eastern borders. Centrally placed, the county lies at Latitude 30°15′ N and longitude 102°03′ W. The name is a tribute to Alexander Watkins Terrell.

One of the most magnificent sections of the Pecos Trail is located in Terrell County along with the historic US Highway 90. Terrell County’s seat is Sanderson. Texas Cactus Capital and entrance to the Big Bend Wilderness Area are just some of the nicknames given to Sanderson. On U.S. Highway 90, it’s roughly midway between San Antonio and El Paso. There are numerous examples of its rich and colorful past around the city through the structures.

County History

The Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad created Sanderson and numerous other nearby railroad villages. Railroad surveyors discovered Sanderson’s current position in 1881. There were just a few pioneering sheepherders in the area at the time.

Sanderson’s livestock and sheepherders grew in number at the same time as the town’s railroad did. As of 1883, the town’s first post office was established. As a result of the large concentration of railroad employees and cowboys in the area, the town’s early years were volatile.

The Terrell County Courthouse was constructed in 1905 too. It was rebuilt in the Spanish colonial style in 1930 and was completely remodeled. Between First and Second streets and Hackberry and Mansfield, it presently stands.

An expansion of 50 feet was completed in 1910, including a new passenger ticketing and waiting room area, a luggage storage facility, and an office for the Railway Express Agency and Western Union. The railroad industry was booming at the time.

Sanderson, the county seat of Terrell County, works hard to preserve its heritage while offering modern facilities and services to its citizens and visitors. It has about 900 people and is blessed with year-round pleasant weather because of its location tucked between two beautiful valleys.

Topography

Terrell county covers an estimated 2357 square miles with a mountainous range and terrain, making the elevation range between 1300 to 1400 feet above sea level.

Limestone is the primary component of the soil in this region. Most parts of Terell county lie atop a plateau known as the Stockton Plateau. The Western Mountains may be seen from this point. Moderately sloping to flat plains characterize the eastern and northeastern regions of the United States. Rocky and strewn with basins and canyons, the topography changes dramatically to the west. The Rio Grande River serves as the county’s southern boundary when floodwaters are too high to flow through steep canyon cuttings.

Since the annual rain falls on Terrell County is barely 15 inches each year, the area is adapted to grazing. There is less than 1% arable land on this location. Dry creek beds are home to only a few trees of any size. Walnuts and hackberries are the two most important crops.

Education

By contrast, Terrell County public schools’ average arithmetic score of 62% was higher than the state average of 51 points. Additionally, they earned a 42 percent competence score in reading. Rather than the state average of 47%. A score of 8/10 ranks Terrell County schools in the top 30% of all Texas public schools. Terrell County, Texas, will have one public school in 2021-22. It will serve 144 children throughout the year, with each section in Terrell County having access to the state’s finest public school.

Sixty-six percent of pupils are minorities, primarily Hispanic. Compared to the state average of 72%, this is a lower proportion of Texas public schools (majority Hispanic). Sanderson Schools is Terrell County’s most prestigious public institution. The school’s math and reading test scores were combined to obtain an overall test rating.

HealthCare

Terrell is a one-stop shop for all your medical needs, from broken bones to migraines to painful feet. Eye, dental, and chiropractic care are just a few of the options available to the residents of Terrell. People who cannot care for themselves can get residential care from nursing homes run by professionals with the necessary training.

Family Medical Center at Terrell

Patients of all ages are welcome at the primary care clinic, which offers comprehensive, high-quality medical services. Patients with long-term health issues like diabetes or high cholesterol can receive this treatment at Family Medical Center. According to their experts, preventative treatment is also a terrific way to ensure a long and healthy life.

Terrell Family Medicine

A partner of Texas Health Physicians Group, Terrell Family Medicine is just what the doctor ordered. One of the many places in Terrell where you can get top-notch medical care is Terrell Family Medicine. Getting compassionate, thorough primary care close to home is possible for everybody, regardless of age or health status.

Terrell State Hospital

There are 316 beds at Terrell State Hospital, accredited by JCAHO and Medicare. The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation is constantly updated and directs the operation of the psychiatric hospital. Mentally ill people can benefit from TSH by making better decisions that lead to a better quality of life. The hospital serves a large portion of Texas, including Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall.

Many services, including an adult life skills “cottage,” an intense behavioral therapy program, acute medical care, forensic treatment for state jail inmates, and a research center, are available at the location.

Lakes Regional MHMR Center

At the Lakes Regional MHMR Center, people with mental illness can get treatment at home or a facility away from home. Patients and their families can maintain some level of independence at home because of Lakes Regional’s customized equipment. Experts in their respective disciplines oversee housing, psychological training, screening, monitoring, and vocational training. Terrell offers several group homes as well.

County Offices

The Commissioner’s Court, Terell County’s policy-making body, is presided over by the County Judge, who has broad judicial and administrative authority under the Texas Constitution. Judge Dale Carruthers is the county judge at Terrell county, and the email is [email protected] or via phone at 432-345-2421.

Kenneth D. Bellah is the county attorney, and the address to the office is 119 West Oak Street. PO Box 175, Sanderson, Texas 79848.

Adam Johnson is the commissioner of precinct one, and the email to the office is [email protected] or phone at 575-302-3115. Mike Sanchez heads precinct two and is available via phone at 432-770-9247 or email at [email protected]. Precinct 3 is led by Arnfulo Serna and is reachable through email at [email protected] or telephone at 432-557-7179. Heather Gully is the commissioner at Precinct 4 and is reachable via [email protected] or phone at 432-244-7038.

Santiago Gonzalez is the county sheriff and is available through 432-345-2525 or the email [email protected].

Judge Corina Arredondo heads precincts 1 and 2, and the physical address is PO Box 833, Sanderson, TX 79848, 432-345-2341. Judge Shelly Cleveland leads precincts 3 and 4, and the address to the office is PO Box 368, Sanderson, TX 79848, 432-345-2660.

Tourist Attractions

BFTS Museum

During World War II, thousands of British pilots were taught to fly by American civilian flight schools. The first and largest schools were located in Terrell, Texas. American Aviation Cadets were also trained there once the United States entered the war. A total of more than 2,000 pilots from the British and American air forces were trained in North Texas between 1941 and 1945. Many of Terrell’s student pilots have become lifelong friends.

Ham Orchards

Ham Orchards was founded on peaches, which are now the company’s primary product. Fruit, jams, fudge, and freshly baked items are available from the middle of May until the middle of August, as is strawberry and peach ice cream. Here you’ll find Eddie Deen’s signature peach barbecue sauce.

Film Alley

You can have terrific fun at Terrell’s Film Alley! Full-service movie theaters with reclining seats are available for visitors to enjoy bowling, arcade games, food preparation, and movies.

Heritage Museum

The Terrell Carnegie Library, built-in 1904, houses it. There are just thirteen left. It is one of only thirteen listed Texas Historical Landmarks in Texas. The Museum’s mission is to preserve Terrell’s rich cultural heritage through collecting, organizing, and displaying artifacts. Researchers have access to the Museum’s vast archive of papers and photos as an added benefit.