[6] The town is named for Kenneth Lewis Anderson, a vice-president of the Republic of Texas, who died here at the Fanthorp Inn in 1845.

After Mexico achieved independence, it accepted additional settlers from the United States into eastern Texas.

Texas achieved independence in 1836 and settlers continued to arrive from the United States.

Henry Fanthorp, a new Anglo-American settler in Texas, offered land for the county seat.

The black majority continued until many African Americans left during the 20th century in the Great Migration, to leave behind Jim Crow conditions.

Anderson in 1859 rejected being connected to the Texas and Central Railroad, and was soon surpassed in population and economic growth by Navasota.

[8] Texas State Highway 90 passes through the city, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Roans Prairie and southwest 9 miles (14 km) to Navasota, the largest city in Grimes County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Anderson has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.3 km2), all land.

[4] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

Anderson has never fully recovered from economic decline suffered during the late nineteenth century.

[citation needed] Public education in the city of Anderson is provided by the Anderson-Shiro Consolidated Independent School District.