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RICHMOND-ROSENBERG

Population 32,026

Altitude 104

General

Although separate municipalities, twin towns share heritage, business and living areas. Earliest settlement 1822 by members of Old Three Hundred (Stephen F. Austin's colony), later supplemented by unusual variety of ethnic and cultural groups - Southern plantation owners, Confederate veterans, carpetbaggers, Czech immigrants, blacks, railroad and oilmen. Post-Reconstruction era brought "Jaybird-Woodpecker War" with heavy casualties between rival political factions 1888-90, a city hall obelisk is topped with a jaybird. Carrie Nation's crusade against "demon rum" began in Richmond. silver-domed Fort Bend County Courthouse dates from 908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, historical markets on grounds. 500 Jackson Street, Richmond.

Morton Cemetery contain graves of many early pioneers of Texas.

Fertile coastal plains devoted to farming, ranching. Industries include oil, salt, sulfur production, steel fabrication and diversified manufacturing. Richmond-Rosenberg Chamber of Commerce at 4120 Avenue H (U.S,. 90A/59) offers information on historic sites and recreation throughout the area.

Fort Bend Opry features country and Western music every Friday night at Cole Theater in Rosenberg.

BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK

CONFEDERATE MUSEUM

DECKER PARK

FORT BEND COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

GEORGE RANCH HISTORICAL PARK

LONG-SMITH COTTAGE

MCFARLANE HOUSE

MOORE HOME

Attractions

BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK - 4,897 acres of Gulf Coastal Plain includes Brazos River bottomlands, beautiful live-oak woodlands draped by wild grape vines and Spanish moss, oxbow lakes, and marsh. Abundant wildlife includes white-tailed deer, coyotes Russian boar, migratory waterfowl, shore and wading birds, and large population of American alligators. Tent and RV camping, picnic sites, screened shelters, rest rooms, showers, dump station. Fishing pier, hike and bike trails, wildlife observation platforms.

George Observatory within park features a 36 inch telescope. Sat. nights are open to public for star-gazing. Observatory is join project of Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. the George Foundation, and the Houston museum of Natural Science. Access via F.M. 762, 20 miles south. Admission.

CONFEDERATE MUSEUM - Displays include weapons and swords, pictures of battles, artifacts, tape-recorded histories of ante-bellum era. Open Tues. and Thurs. from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. 359 north of Richmond.
DECKER PARK - historic buildings include 1901 railroad depot, log-cabin replica of original Fort Bend, McNabb House, c.1850. (Carrie Nation's daughter's home) and 1896 county jail. Also modern gazebo. 500 block of Preston. Richmond.
FORT BEND COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM - Cited as one of the state's best small museums; features developmental eras from first colonist of 1822; special exhibit on local resident Jane Long, "the mother of Texas"; the Texas Revolution; the plantation era; the Civil War; the ranching era; and the sugar industry. Open Tues. - Fri. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. - Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. 500 Houston Street. Richmond. On museum grounds are the Long-Smith Cottage and Moore Home.

GEORGE RANCH HISTORICAL PARK - 470 acre living history site where visitors step back in time and experience Texas history. Guests visit the 1820s Jones farmstead, tour 1890s Victorian mansion, and see cowboys working cattle in 1930s working ranch area. Open April - mid December; Sat. - Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On F.M. 762 eight miles south of Richmond. Call 713-545-9212 for weekday schedules and group tours.
LONG-SMITH COTTAGE - Built in the 1840s the home was originally on land owned by Jane Long, the Mother of Texas, whose land grant covered most of present day Richmond. Open Tues. to Fri. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. , Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. 500 Houston Street.
MCFARLANE HOUSE - Built in 182 - 83 by merchant Isaac McFarlane, the restored house is open as a visitor center. The historic building played a significant part in the 2889 Jaybird/Woodpecker clash. Open Friday fro 1 to 4 p.m.; Sat., Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. 410 Jackson Street. Richmond
MOORE HOME - Gracefully, white columned Victorian mansion, c. 1883, home of Texas Congressman John N. Moore of the early 1900s. Restored and furnished with period antiques. Open Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. on grounds of Fort Bend County Historical Museum. 500 Houston Street. Richmond.

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