1870s
A Store Becomes A Townsite
Early settlers arrived from Denton County, and Sam Smith opened a grocery store that became one of the anchors of the growing community.
Sunset, Texas
A Small North Texas Town With A Long Memory
Sunset sits in southern Montague County near State Highway 101 and Farm Road 1749. Its story runs through frontier settlement, a post office name change, railroad growth, and the farm economy that shaped much of North Texas.
A surveying error once placed Sunset in Wise County, but a 1900 lawsuit awarded the land, including the townsite, to Montague County. That mix of local identity, boundary history, and working-land heritage is part of the place Sunset Pulse calls home.
Community Landmark
Sunset Gas & Grill
Established along the historic farm roads of southern Montague County, Sunset Gas & Grill has stood as the authentic beating heart of the community for generations. Originally founded as a modest oak-fired pit stop and mechanical outpost, it quickly evolved into the county's definitive gathering place.
Famous for its slow-cooked angus beef burgers, cold beers, and great coffee, it represents the living history of the working Texas frontier. Fusing historic rural heritage with modern digital connectivity under the Sunset Pulse network, the Grill remains the premier physical anchor for local legends, neighborhood debates, and deep community roots.
Community legends like Jay "JH" Hartswell and Bobby McGee have always chosen the Sunset Grill as their favorite watering hole.
📍 101 S. Council, Sunset, TXVisit Grill Menu →
Atlas Pulse
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Sunset townsite, southern Montague County is currently strongest against texas_place_history.tah.
Sunset Texas history Montague County railroad post office
1880
The Name Sunset Sticks
Smith applied for a post office under the name Smithville. Because that name was already taken, postal authorities suggested Sunset.
1882-1884
Railroad Momentum
The Fort Worth and Denver Railway came through the community, drawing nearby residents toward the tracks. Sunset voted to incorporate on July 26, 1884.
1900s
A Farm Market Center
By 1900, Sunset had grown past 600 residents and supported cotton gins, banks, a school, churches, a gristmill, a canning factory, and the Sunset Signal newspaper.