Sunset, Texas, Montague County. (original) (raw)

Sunset 1890 old map
Click on image to enlarge

History in a Pecan Shell

The community could be considered to have been alongside the Butterfield Overland stage route since there was once a stop two miles from Sunset�s present location. Settlement began around 1870 and a store was in operation soon after. Storekeeper Sam Smith applied for a post office under the name Smithville, but Bastrop County had beat them to it. The name Sunset was suggested and accepted.

In 1882 the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad arrived, drawing off population from the smaller town of Pella. The population in 1900 was estimated to be over 600.

A surveyor�s mistake had placed Sunset in Wise County prior to 1990 but a ruling put it firmly inside Montague. From 1900 to 1940 the town prospered, although a toll was taken by the boll weevil in the 20s, the Drepession in the 30s, WWII in the 40s and by the time the 50s had arrived, Sunset had an estimated population of 260. By the 1980s it was down to a mere 200 � the number given for the 1990 census.

Sunset Depot
"I found this in my Grandparent's photo book." - Janelle Vanderford, , February 14, 2022
More Texas Depots

Entering Sunset
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Sunset Volunteer Fire Department
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Montague County 1920s map showing Sunset on the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad near Wise County line. S of Montague
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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