Stafford's Beginnings
In the early 1800's, when the land that is now Texas belonged
to Spain, Stephen F. Austin took advantage of a Spanish offer
to settle the vast area in exchange for generous land grants.
William Stafford knew a good business deal when he saw one
and was one of Austin's "Old 300" families that settled Texas
in the early 1820's.
In 1822, Stafford was given a league and a half of land
in Southeast Texas and settled down to farm. On the land
that came to be known as Stafford's Point, Stafford installed
a horse-powered cotton gin to process the crop grown by his
fellow farmers in the area. It marked the beginning of the
friendly business climate that remains a trademark of the
City of Stafford today.
Throughout its history, Stafford has experienced its share
of ups and downs and has always managed to land on its feet.
In 1836, the City played reluctant host to Santa Anna and
his troops, on their way to San Jacinto, who spent the night
and destroyed what there was of a town the next morning.
By 1840, the settlers had returned and rebuilt the town.
That was at about the same time the sugar cane industry in
the area was taking off. On September 1, 1853, Stafford's
Point became the destination of the first train to operate
in Texas. It remained the end of the line for the Buffalo
Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroad's run out of Harrisburg
for two years, till the rails were finally extended to Alleyton,
just east of Columbus.
By the 1950's, the surging growth of nearby Houston brought
the agricultural way of life to a close. Developers pushed
into Fort Bend County, offering lucrative prices for the
farmers' land. The proximity of the railroad was an incentive
to light and heavy industry, and corporations found the area's
natural beauty appealing.
A new way of life has dawned on the City of Stafford and
Fort Bend County. The plantations have given way to business
parks, and cotton gins have been replaced by computers.
Still, the City of Stafford has held on to those qualities
personified by its founder: independence and perseverance
and a willingness to provide the best possible conditions
for economic growth.
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