Sanger, Texas - A Place That Warms Your Heart…
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6/10/2009
I just got out of the Army after serving 8 years, and moved to Sanger with my new husband. We’ve been all over the place with the Army and were thankful to get to settle down again. Before the Army we came from a small town, 40 miles East of Waco, Groesbeck is it’s name. I never thought in a million years that I would have the pleasure of finding another small town that I’ve come to love just as much, if not more. Sanger, is a place that warms your heart. The people here are so warm & friendly.
I say this cause not only do I get warm smiles daily by passer-bys. But I met the best friend I could have ever been blessed with, Shelly Santos, at the park in the center of town. I’ve had total strangers help me for no reason or personal gain at all. Just about anyone will stop to talk with you for no reason at all except to be friendly. This is a daily occurrence around here.
I’ve come to know two of the best men I’ve ever known when moving here to Sanger. Rusty Patton, our City Councilman and John Springer of Springer Properties. They are such a pleasure to be around, and if you ever come in contact with them, you will sure know why.
Sanger was founded in 1886 as a stop on the Santa Fe Railroad. Cattle from the ranches of north Denton County were driven up the old cattle trails through Sanger to northern markets. The cattle industry of the prairies of north Denton County contributed to the founding of the town, and wheat growing contributed substantially to its economy as did the production of oats, maize, millet and cotton. Santa Fe named Sanger in honor of one of its customers, the Sanger family who owned stores in Waco and Dallas.
The F.M. Ready family was the first to settle in Sanger in October 1887, the same year as the first engine and caboose. Following the decline of the original rail line, the 1920 building of a state highway that connected Sanger and Dallas helped compensate for the declining rail business. Cattle and other livestock are raised around Sanger, and there are several horse farms for the breeding and training of registered stock. The oldest continual business was Wilson Lumber Company, founded by Andy Marshall Wilson in the 1890s. His son, T.C. (Tilford Clifton Wilson) expanded the business and was the longest serving city councilman and mayor in Sanger history. Wilson Lumber Company was finally sold by the family in 2001, becoming Denton County Building Supply.
Just one sweet sip of the aroma—bacon, eggs & big pancakes—lures you past the threshold of the Old West Cafe. Then you see the sweet smiles & winning personalities of the waitresses there which draw you in further. You see old country & western type pictures, that remind you of the past, a simpler past. Starting the day off, hot coffee and some eggs & pancakes, please, is a ritual to many Sanger locals. Old West Cafe, is this cheery breakfast nook where life starts anew each day.
Or you should try the down home cooking at our famous Babe’s Chicken. This is one place you should definitely try. You will notice the big sign, the famous tractor out front & a line of folks that come from miles around for the best cooking with a reasonable price. Don’t forget the flower shops that compete for business by doing the funniest displays or posting the craziest signs out front for specific holidays. Oh and the famous, Sportsman which is open 24 hours. There’s a place where you can sit down & eat while you wait to fill up on gas. Or Dragon King Chinese Buffet, a place I live at. The sweetest people & the service is impeccable. Their prices are reasonable and the food is yummy. A place where they close at 9pm, but when you come in near closing time, they stop to make you new food to take with you before they close. That’s what I call service.
Sanger consists of just about everything really. It’s spread out, but it has a lot to offer visitors and families or single folks looking to find a one of a kind place to live. The population is: As of 2009, Sanger's population is 7,554 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 54.04 percent. The median home cost in Sanger is $93,400. Home appreciation the last year has been -2.10 percent. Compared to the rest of the country, Sanger's cost of living is 19.52% Lower than the U.S. average. Sanger public schools spend $5,969 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 13 students per teacher in Sanger. The unemployment rate in Sanger is 6.40 percent(U.S. avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Positive. Sanger jobs have Increased by 0.30 percent.
Sanger has many such stories if you just open the door, and take a peek inside. Sanger has it all: good people, great food, art, music, history and tradition. Don’t believe me? Come visit.
Bp | Sanger, TX