SANGER, TX — (August 18, 2010) The Texas Historical Commission has recognized “Sanger and the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway” as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an Official Texas Historical Marker.  The designation honors Sanger and the Railway as an important and educational part of local and Denton County history.

A dedication ceremony to commemorate the event will be held at 10:00 a.m., September 11, at 100 Bolivar Street in Sanger. The ceremony is sponsored by Denton County Historical Commission and the City of Sanger. Speakers for the morning will include Idaleene Scheu Fuqua, who will give a brief history of the Santa Fe Railroad in establishing the town of Sanger, and Tona Batis Payne, president of the Sanger Area Historical Society.   Mrs. Fuqua and Mrs. Payne researched and co-wrote the historical narrative submitted to THC.  

 DCHC Chairman Bob Montgomery and Marker Chairman, Beth Stribling will recognize Mrs. Fuqua, who led the efforts to obtain the marker, Mrs. Payne, and Mike  Brice, City Manager, with certificates of commendation for efforts that led to the placement of the historical marker.   Special guests at the dedication will be the donors who contributed to the $1600 cost of the marker, and Francis Flitten Hollingsworth of North Richland Hills, one of a group of women, later called the “Santa Fe Girls,” to be employed by the Santa Fe Railway during World War II.  The event, held during Sanger Sellabration Day, is open to the public.  Parking will be available at Second and Elm Street.

            Sanger originated in 1886 at milepost 392.16 as a water stop along the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad.  Construction of 300 new CG&SF tracks began in April 1886, from Fort Worth through what would become the town of Sanger and on to Purcell (now Oklahoma) Indian Territory, where, in April 1887, it connected with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe tracks.  Chief engineer was Walter Justin Sherman.  

 Because of its proximity to North Denton County cattle ranches and to the Chisholm Trail, Sherman built a side track, cattle pens, loading chute and depot at the site. The Chisholm Trail was located west of Bolivar and crossed the Waide ranch, formerly owned by John S. Chisum, and the Forester ranch, known for its “Two I Jingle Bob” brand.  Before the railroad came to Sanger, large cattle drives would begin between Denton and Sanger heading to Kansas.

  Noah Batis, who established the Sanger Stock Farm, worked as a cowboy in 1881 and 1882, driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas.  His first drive was at age 21 for Judge S.A. Venter.  

The cattle were driven over the open prairie, down the dusty wagon roads that led from Bolivar to Sanger.  At the railroad the cattle were dipped in a disinfectant, watered, fed and held in the pens until loaded on the box cars to be shipped to market. The Santa Fe

 offered the cowboys a round trip to Kansas City.    

Elizabeth Huling of Lampasas, owner of the land sold to the railroad, hired surveyors J.C. Bartlett and Elijah Biggerstaff, county surveyor, to plat a town site around the railroad stop.  She donated land for a wagon yard and well, a school, town square, cemetery and a Methodist Church. Other lots were laid out for stores and homes.  Lots were given to anyone who would build a house costing $500.

            The town was originally called both New Bolivar and Huling, until the Santa Fe Railroad officially named it in honor of Sanger Brothers, a prominent Texas dry goods firm started by Gus and Eli Sanger. 

By 1892 the town was incorporated and William E. Partlow, a Virginia native who surrendered at Appomattox with General Robert E. Lee, was elected Sanger’s first mayor.  

Sanger’s post office, located in the Ready Hotel, built west of the cattle pens, was established in 1887. Francis M. Ready was commissioned the first postmaster. 

In 1890, a fire destroyed much of Sanger including the depot.  The railroad built a second siding on the east side of the tracks and a much larger depot with segregated waiting rooms, Western Union telegraph office and a Wells Fargo freight office.  Fred H. Scheu, father of Idaleene Scheu Fuqua, was one of the Santa Fe stations agents at Sanger from 1916-1917 and again from 1930 -1946. 

The Sanger Mill and Elevator Company founded in 1897 by A.D. Miller helped to transition Sanger to a farming community.  The mill would eventually produce 200-barrells of flour daily.  Eighty percent of its flour, cornmeal and mixed feeds were sold to Texas wholesale grocery trade.  Silk Finish Flour was a major product of the Sanger Mill.

After two meat packing plants were built in Fort Worth, ca 1900, ranchers began trucking their cattle to market instead of shipping them to Kansas. This development and the depression combined to reduce operations at the Sanger depot.

World War II brought railroad traffic and commerce back to Sanger.  The Santa Fe hired female employees to conduct the day to day operations of the railway as the trains passed through the town.  Post World War II saw a rapid decline of the railroad nationwide.  The Sanger Mill and Elevator Company, managed by W.B. (Willie Bush) Chambers, sold the business to Kimbell Milling of Fort Worth in 1941. With the closing of the mill the railroad lost its best customer in Sanger and eventually rail passenger service also ended.

            Santa Fe notified the city of Sanger, effective July 14, 1983, they were donating the rail station depot to the city and requested the station be relocated from the Santa Fe land. Although not confirmed, it is believed the station was moved in 1985, temporarily located behind the Wilson Lumber yard to be later moved to a site in Tioga on August11, 1999.

            For additional information on the THC marker program contact Beth Stribling, DCHC marker chairman, at 940-2523, gbstribling@verizon.net, or Roslyn Shelton, DCHC administrative manager, 940-349-2860, Roslyn.shelton@dentoncounty.com

Offices operating at these new hours include City Hall and Utility Billing (502 Elm Street), Public Works & Development Services (201 Bolivar Street), Police Administration and Municipal Court (301 Bolivar Street).

The hours of the Sanger Public Library, Police Department (non-administration), and Fire Department will not be affected by this change.

An above-ground or in-ground pool that is designed to contain water over 24 inches deep requires a permit to be installed.  This also includes hot tubs, spas, and wading pools.  Smaller structures that contain 24 inches of water or less are not required to obtain a permit.

Swimming pools are required to be located in either the rear yard or a side yard not facing a street, and be located at least eight (8) feet from all property lines.  A pool is also required to be surrounded by a wall or fence at least six (6) feet in height with self-latching gates at all entrances.  Lighting of the pool or backyard must be shielded and/or directed so as not to cast light directly on adjacent properties.  All electrical equipment must be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.

A permit for the installation of a swimming pool costs $35.  Separate plumbing and electrical permits may be required at $35 each, depending on the design of the pool.  Swimming pool permit application forms are available by clicking on the link below, or from the Public Works & Development Services Building at 201 Bolivar Street.  Contact the Department of Development Services at 940-458-2059 for more information.

Swimming Pool Permit Application

To view the 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Click here–>2009 Annual Water Quality Report 06/2010

Openings are currently available on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Keep Sanger Beautiful Board, Library Board, Parks Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, and 4B Board.  Applicants are encouraged to list any board they are interested in, as openings occur periodically throughout the year.

City Council is scheduled to appoint citizens to these board in June.  Newly-appointed board and commission members will take office in July 2010.

An application form and description of each board and commission is available by clicking on the link below.  Applications can also be picked up from City Hall at 502 Elm Street.  Applications should be returned to the City Secretary no later than Friday, June 18th.

2010 Board & Commission Application

Mayor Higgs honored by Sanger City Council

At their May 17, 2010 meeting, City Council issued proclimation honoring outgoing Mayor Joe Higgs for his years of service to the City of Sanger as Councilman and Mayor.  Joe Higgs was appointed mayor upon the death of Mayor Tommy Kincaid as was later elected to a term of his own.  New Mayor Thomas Muir thanked Mayor Higgs for his dedicated leadership of the City Council and presented him with a gift on behalf of the City Council.

Mayor Thomas Muir shakes hands with Mayor Joe Higgs

Thomas Muir sworn in as Mayor by City Secretary Tami Taber

Thomas Muir was sworn in as Mayor of Sanger at the City Council meeting of Monday, May 17, 2010. 
Mayor Muir had served as Councilman Place 1 for the past few years.  Mayor Muir replaces Joe Higgs.

Gary Bilyeu swron in as Councilman Place 2

City Council appointed Marjory Johnson to fill unexpired term for Council Place 1.  Place 1 became vacant with Thomas Muir became mayor.

Marjory Johnson sworn in as Councilwoman Place 1.

Councilman Place 4 Andy Garza sworn in for another term.

Tami was chosen from a slate of five finalists, four of which were from outside of Sanger.  “It was a strong slate of candidates to choose from,” said City Manager Mike Brice.  “What stood out about Tami was her strong work ethic and ability to tackle and solve any problem she is faced with.” 

The title City Secretary is often misleading to people not familiar with the position.  The position’s responsibilities differ from those of a traditional Secretary’s position.  The City Secretary serves as a key member of the City’s Executive Management Team.  The City Secretary is responsibile for creating and maintaining the City’s records and for filing reports with various agencies.  The City Secretary also manages elections, works with various boards and commissions and interacts with the public on a daily basis.  At the State and National level a similar position is that of Secretary of State.  The position also manages the Data Processing Department.  In addition to her new responsibilities, Tami will also continue to manage the human resource functions of the City.