HISTORICAL RICHMOND: July 2006

RICHMOND TEXAS - Fort Bend County, Texas
Illustrations by Nina Struthers

The Richmond Police Department and the Richmond Historical Courthouse.

My interest in Richmond Texas

I moved to Richmond exactly four years ago to the day..... I invested in an old cottage/ farmhouse and renovated it. I live near the downtown area and close to the Brazos river. I love the fact that Richmond is the seat of Fort Bend county, & the third oldest city in Texas... and there are plenty of historical buildings and festivals.

A little history
Richmond originated as a fort settlement on the bend of the Brazos River which is the largest river in Texas. Richmond features historic streets than date back to 1850. With its many old magnolia, oak and pecan trees, a stroll around Richmond is very pleasant.
Richmond has a historic courthouse built in 1915 and a saloon off the train tracks that dates back to 1835... and so much more. That is why I have decided to draw the historical landmarks of Richmond (as well as the Rosenberg area).
The early settlers that lived in Richmond made it one of the richest counties in Texas and it is unique because the power brokers of the civil war lived here. Early residents included Mirabeau B. Lamar, the father of Texas education; Jane Long, the mother of Texas; and Erastus (Deaf) Smith who was General Sam Houston's scout. Also, famous residents were the abolitionist Carrie Nation, and freedom activist Arizona Fleming. Among them were the earliest ancestors of Mamie Davis and A.P. George, the founders of the George Foundation, who have contributed so much to Fort Bend county. Jane Long is buried in Richmond's historical Morton cemetary.
The community of Richmond was evacuated in 1836 during the Runaway Scrape and General Santa Anna and several thousand Mexican troops marched through the county to reach General Sam Houston's troops for the military engagement of the Battle of San Jacinto.

I have sketched over 40 of Richmond and Rosenberg's local historical landmarks. These drawings also include churches of note. I sell my art at the local coffee house and have sold to people who work at the museums as well as to the historical police department. I donated several key pieces to the Richmond Mayor and they are displayed at Richmond City Hall. One time I was given a tour of the police dept. and I got to see the gallows where criminals were actually hung over 100 years ago. Very morbid! I have also wandered around the historical Morton cemetary but I wouldn't go at night or alone!

Every year there are battle enactments at the George Historical Ranch. Also, in October of each year, the ranch hosts TEXIAN DAYS and I usually feature my artwork at this festival. There are two main downtown festivals during the year, ARTWALK in the spring and the PECAN FESTIVAL in the fall, plus a Christmas Lights festival.
Enjoy my artwork and feel free to comment.