Richmond (Images of America)

In 1822, a group of Americans immigrating to Stephen F. Austins colony stopped at a bend in the Brazos River and built a fort. Originally called Fort Bend and Fort Settlement, Richmond was incorporated in May 1837. A prosperous river port, Richmond became a boomtown with the completion of the first railroad in Texas in 1855. One of the most notorious episodes in Richmonds history was the Jay BirdWoodpecker War in 18881889, which led to a gun battle on the streets between the two political factions. Richmond was home to notable historical figures, including Jane Long, Mother of Texas; Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas; Deaf Smith, Texas Revolutionary scout; Carry A. Nation, temperance activist with a penchant for smashing up saloons with a hatchet; and Hilmar Moore, longest-serving US mayor.