Sanderford Log Cabin
Belton, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
One of earliest homes in Nolan Valley community. Built when he moved to Texas in 1867 by John Rice Sanderford (1841-1923), a veteran of the Civil War. Birthplace, 1895, of John Roy Sanderford, State Senator from this district from 1933 to 1937. Settler John Rice Sanderford was father of 12 children. First wife, Elvira Keith, for whom he built this cabin of hand-hewn oak logs, died in 1884; his second wife was Emily Viola Lacy. The descendants are area leaders in civic and business life. Cabin restored by youngest son, Judge T.E. Sanderford, 1964. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Civil War veteran John Rice Sanderford built this hand-hewn oak cabin when he came to Texas in 1867, making it one of the earliest homes in the Nolan Valley community near Belton. He raised twelve children here; the first wife it was built for, Elvira Keith, died in 1884. In 1895 the cabin was the birthplace of his son John Roy Sanderford, later a state senator, and a younger son, Judge T. E. Sanderford, restored it in 1964.
Why it matters
Pioneer log homes like this trace how Reconstruction-era veterans and their large families put down roots and built the civic leadership of Central Texas.
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Related people
- · John Rice Sanderford
- · John Roy Sanderford
- · T. E. Sanderford
Themes & tags
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