Big Sandy, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Big Sandy, Texas
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Downtown Big Sandy
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Location of Big Sandy, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Upshur |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.66 sq mi (4.31 km2) |
| • Land | 1.62 sq mi (4.21 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 433 ft (132 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,231 |
| • Density | 869.46/sq mi (335.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75755, 75797
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| Area code(s) | 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-08224 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411688 |
Big Sandy is a small town in Upshur County, Texas, United States. In 2020, about 1,231 people lived there. A lake with the same name is split by U.S. Highway 80, which is the main road through town. Big Sandy is located west of bigger cities like Gladewater and Longview.
The Sabine River flows just south of Big Sandy. A long time ago, in the 1800s, there was a ferry called Walters' Bluff Ferry on the river. People could cross for 40 cents, and wagons cost up to 75 cents.
Contents
Exploring Big Sandy's Location
Big Sandy is located in eastern Texas. It covers about 1.7 square miles (4.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Who Lives in Big Sandy?
The town of Big Sandy has seen its population change over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 323 | — | |
| 1920 | 658 | — | |
| 1930 | 579 | −12.0% | |
| 1940 | 609 | 5.2% | |
| 1950 | 689 | 13.1% | |
| 1960 | 848 | 23.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,022 | 20.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,258 | 23.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,185 | −5.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,288 | 8.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,343 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,231 | −8.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 1,231 people living in Big Sandy. Most residents were White (about 74%), followed by Black or African American (about 14%). There were also people of other races and those who identify as Hispanic or Latino.
Big Sandy's Past
Big Sandy was founded not long after the American Civil War. It was first known as Big Sandy Switch. This was because two railroads crossed paths here: the Texas and Pacific Railroad and a smaller railroad called the Tyler Tap. Soon, the town grew with a post office, a newspaper, stores, and churches. In 1926, Big Sandy officially became a town, with about 850 people.
A Religious Group's Influence
In the 1950s, a religious group called the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) became important to Big Sandy. A local resident gave land to the church. The church built a meeting hall and started holding yearly conventions there.
Over time, the church bought more land. Thousands of church members came to Big Sandy each year for a week-long event called the Feast of Tabernacles. This brought a lot of business to the town. In the mid-1960s, the church opened a college campus in Big Sandy called Ambassador College. Many church members moved to the area because of the college and the yearly events. Even though the college closed in 1997, many families stayed in Big Sandy.
In 2000, the college campus was sold. It is now the International ALERT Academy. This academy trains young men in disaster relief and emergency services. It also serves as a camp and conference center.
Craft Businesses and Jobs
In the late 1970s, a local couple started a mail-order business called Annie's Attic. They sold magazines and catalogs for people who loved needlecrafts like knitting and crocheting. The business grew very quickly.
Later, another similar business called The Needlecraft Shop also started in Big Sandy. Both businesses were eventually bought by a company called Dynamic Resource Group (DRG). DRG moved the main operations to Indiana. However, they created a new company in Big Sandy called Strategic Fulfillment Group (SFG). SFG handles mailing and subscriptions for DRG and other clients. Today, SFG is the largest employer in Big Sandy and Upshur County.
Other businesses in Big Sandy include grocery stores, a bank, and auto shops.
Big Sandy Sports History
The Big Sandy High School football team has a proud history. They won three Texas Class B state championships in a row from 1973 to 1975. In 1974, the championship game ended in a tie, so both Big Sandy and Celina were named co-champions. In 2005, the Wildcats almost won another state title but lost a close game.
The 1975 team scored a huge number of points in a season, setting a national record at the time. This record stood until 1994. Famous players from this team include David Overstreet, who played for the Miami Dolphins, and Lovie Smith, who became a head coach in the NFL.
Famous People from Big Sandy
- Lovie Smith: A well-known football coach who led the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and the Illinois Fighting Illini. He grew up in Big Sandy.
- Henry Thomas: A famous blues musician who was born in Big Sandy.
Education in Big Sandy
Students in Big Sandy attend schools in the Big Sandy Independent School District.
See also
In Spanish: Big Sandy (Texas) para niños
