By Joan Frances –
The Brazos River in Richmond, Texas.
Living in this world today, we take so much for granted. We wake to electricity and fresh water, stoves, microwaves and shopping at our fingertips. Chores are making beds and feeding the dog a can of food. We open the refrigerator to an array of ready made meals to satisfy the palate.
About two hundred years ago, Americans were traveling on this land for the first time searching for food, shelter and a place to call home. Our heritage began with the explorer, the motivator, those with the foresight to dream big. Fort Bend County was considered the land of opportunity, and as the population grew, people traveled to a small city called Richmond.
A 19th century plantation: the Moore Home.
When the early settlers headed north from Galveston, they were impressed by the beautiful land and rivers surrounding them. It was an easy task to find an area to build a home and business. Only about fifteen miles from Houston, the City of Richmond was established in 1837 by Robert Eden Handy and business partner William Lusk. The name came from Richmond, England and was incorporated by the Republic of Texas as the seat of government for Fort Bend County. The city began building the framework with a church and newspaper; land was four cents an acre. Beautiful plantation homes were constructed where well-known residents lived including, Erastus (Deaf) Smith, General Sam Houston’s scout, Jane Long, the mother of Texas and Mirabeau B. Lamar, the father of Texas education.
By 1851, this community had a brick court house, two stores, a Masonic Hall and an Academy. Then, in 1855, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroad came to town. Richmond continued to prosper as a market center for the region’s cotton plantations with easy passage into and out of the city. By 1859, the settlers of Richmond made this city one of the richest counties in Texas.
The McFarlane residence in the late 19th century.
Before the Civil War, Richmond became a thriving “cattle empire.” Cotton, corn, livestock, hides, sugar and molasses were shipped from the town. The population was growing and virtually unaffected by the war. The power brokers resided in the city. Many emancipated slaves moved to Richmond to begin life again and took control of the local politics. In 1888, the famous Jaybird-Woodpecker War ensued. The wealthy white Democrat Jaybirds sought to gain control of the government from the Woodpecker officials that held office as a result of the black vote for the Republican ticket. Many people became bitter enemies as a result of this feud. Conflict lasted for a year; hostilities and huge set backs resulted. Lives were lost on both sides, and the city became an armed camp where the “Battle of Richmond” was fought. Fighting took place around the courthouse, the National Hotel and the McFarlane residence. Finally on August 17, 1889, the Houston Light Guards arrived to establish martial law. A reorganization of the government occurred and the Democrats once again controlled Richmond. They dominated Fort Bend politics for the next seventy years.
Today, the citizens of Richmond are at peace with one another. The community is culturally diverse and prospering with nearly 13,000 residents. The city is easy to get around and conveniently desirable to Houston commuters. Reminders of its history still remain with the oldest known churches, cemeteries and Masonic monument in the state, as well as many of the original buildings that are still in use. With such a rich history, Richmond is a great place to live.