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Richards main
street
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, October 2007 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Settled since
the 1830s but undeveloped, Richards was born with the railroad (The
Trinity and Brazos Valley) when it arrived in 1907. The town was populated
by residents from the existing communities of Fairview and
Longstreet who in some cases moved their businesses intact
to the new town.
The town was named by the railroad to honor a banker with the last
name of Richards. The former Longstreet, Texas post office moved to
Richards and underwent a change of name.
The town had most essential businesses from its beginning – including
a newspaper. The 1910 population was 450 and by the mid 1930 it had
reached 500. By the late 1960 it had declined to 305 by 1969 and it
was recorded as 296 – the same for the 2000 Census. |
The Drug Store
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, October 2007 |
Photographer's
Note:
Tthe reason I went there today was "The
Grove, TX" article, and its 'new Luckenbach' potential - a claim
I would also make for Richards (20mi. NE of Navasota,
28mi. SW of Huntsville).
- Ken
Rudine, December 10, 2007 |
1882 Grimes
County map showing Longstreet
From 1882 Texas state map #2134
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Grimes
County 1907 postal map showing Longstreet and Richards
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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