Tom B. Saunders Family Papers
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Administrative records, correspondence, subject files, printed material and memorabilia document the Saunders family ranches, cattle business, and involvement in the Fort Worth Stockyards from 1899-1974. The collection is divided into four series: I. Administrative Records and Correspondence, 1899-1969; II. Subject Files, 1907-1976; III. Printed Material, 1936-1974; and IV. Memorabilia, 1952-1973. The first series includes administrative papers of the Tom B. Saunders Company, such as contracts, mortgage papers, land titles, and bank statements, and correspondence from 1899 to 1923 related to the family's business and personal affairs. The subject files include material of particular interest collected by the Saunders family. The printed materials series is an assortment of published programs and magazines related to the cattle business, including Tom B. Saunders III's own writings in Cuttin Hoss Chatter. The last series, memorabilia, contains artifacts from the company's office and early photographs of the family.
Dates
- Creation: 1899-1974
- Creation: Majority of material found in 1923-1974
Creator
- Saunders (Family)
- Saunders, Tom B. (Person)
- Saunders, Tom B., II (Person)
- Saunders, Tom B., III (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Detailed Biography
The Saunders family began raising cattle in Texas in 1850, when Thomas B. Saunders started his first ranch near Gonzales. His grandson, Thomas B. Saunders II, became the first cattle dealer on the Fort Worth Stockyards in 1902. The Saunders family enjoyed Fort Worth and stayed to form one of the strongest livestock businesses on Exchange Street. Saunders II, along with his sons, started the Tom B. Saunders & Company livestock commission. After the death of Tom Saunders II, his eldest son took over management. The family enterprise operated in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In 1933, Thomas B. Saunders III reorganized the business into a cattle clearinghouse. The family still owns ranches in Benbrook, Weatherford, Cresson, and Parker County, Texas. Tom Saunders III participated in the National Cutting Horse Association, The Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, and the Fort Worth Stock Show. At his own ranch in Weatherford, he established the Twin V livestock brand. A bunkhouse at the Weatherford ranch has been converted into a family museum with photos dating back to the early 1800s. After six generations of Saunders' men, the family continues to operate their ranches and serve on committees for the Fort Worth Stock Show. In 1981, the city of Fort Worth named a park after the family on Marine Creek.
Extent
2.71 Linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Administrative records, correspondence, and memorabilia document the Tom B. Saunders Company from 1899 to 1974. The collection includes material on other notable Texas trail drivers collected by the family. The family's Fort Worth Stock Show planning material is also included.
Arrangement
Arranged in four series: I. Administrative Records and correspondence, 1899-1969; II. Subject Files, 1907-1976; III. Printed Material, 1936-1974; IV. Memorabilia, 1952-1973.
Physical Location
Vault BB 5-6
Subject
- Tom B. Saunders & Company (Organization)
- Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association (Organization)
- National Cutting Horse Association (U.S.) (Organization)
- Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show (Organization)
Cultural context
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Tom B. Saunders Family Papers
- Author
- Compiled by Miriam Elizabeth Villanueva
- Date
- 2014
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Mary Couts Burnett Library Repository
TCU Box 298400
2800 S. University Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76129-0001
Fort Worth Texas 76129
(817) 257-4566
(817) 257-7282 (Fax)
LibSpecialCollections@tcu.edu
