Richards, Texas, Grimes County. (original) (raw)

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

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