Misplaced Pages

#494505

27-693: Todd Mission is a city in Grimes County , Texas , United States. It lies on Farm to Market Road 1774 , fifty miles (80 km) northwest of Houston . The population was 121 as of the 2020 census , up from 107 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the Texas Renaissance Festival . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km), of which 0.03 square miles (0.07 km), or 1.38%, are water. As of

54-399: A family was $ 38,008. Males had a median income of $ 30,138 versus $ 21,747 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 14,368. About 13.8% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.4% of those under 18 and 18.1% of those 65 or over. The Grimes County Commissioners Court is the primary decision-making body for the county government. The court

81-543: A home for his third wife, Rachel Kennard. He bought 1,100 acres (450 ha) and built his house in 1834 along the road that crossed his land. The building was enlarged in about 1850 to accommodate its usage as a hotel and store. Henry Fanthorp was appointed postmaster by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835. The building was the first post office in the region. Fanthorp Inn became a well-known stopping place for stagecoaches , travelers, and

108-647: A railroad in the early 1900s, but never caught up with Navasota. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific became the major railroads in the county. In response to the violence and takeover by the White Man's Union, African Americans began to leave the county in large numbers. The population of the county declined markedly from 1900 to 1920, and after 1930 to 1980. These were periods of

135-493: Is Navasota High School . Todd Mission is home to the renaissance fair with the largest annual attendance in the United States, the Texas Renaissance Festival . Grimes County, Texas Grimes County is a county located in southeastern Texas , United States. As of the 2020 census , its population was 29,268. The seat of the county is Anderson . The county was formed from Montgomery County in 1846. It

162-408: Is composed of the four county commissioners and is headed by the county judge , who oversees the day-to-day operation of the government. In addition to their policy-making duties, the four commissioners are responsible for road and bridge projects within their precincts. The current county judge, Joe Fauth III, entered office in 2017. The Grimes County sheriff is the top law enforcement official in

189-770: Is named for Jesse Grimes , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early European-American settler of the county. The Navasota and Brazos Rivers form the western boundary of the county. Eastern areas of the county are part of the watershed of the San Jacinto River . In the historic period, French and Spanish explorers encountered the Bidai Indians, who were mentioned in Spanish records from 1691. Like other tribes, they suffered high fatalities from new infectious diseases caught from

216-410: Is the primary religion in the county and Hinduism is the second. Of the 7,753 households, 34.6% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were not families. About 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size

243-697: The Great Migration , as African Americans left Texas and other parts of the South to leave behind the oppression of Jim Crow and disenfranchisement , and seek better work. From 1940 on, many migrated to the West Coast for jobs in the expanding defense industry. Rural Whites also left the South for industrial cities. The county remained mostly rural and agricultural until the late 20th century, which contributed to its continuing population losses. Timber harvesting and processing were part of early industry in

270-405: The census of 2000, there were 146 people, 56 households, and 33 families residing in the city. The population density was 69.7 inhabitants per square mile (26.9/km). There were 75 housing units at an average density of 35.8 per square mile (13.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 80.82% White , 3.42% African American , 15.75% from other races . Hispanic or Latino of any race was 18.49% of

297-472: The 1820s, when it was part of Mexico. Early settlers were primarily from the South, especially Alabama, and many brought enslaved African Americans with them to work the land. The first cotton gin in Texas was built by Jared E. Groce , who arrived with 90 slaves and developed a cotton plantation near today's Hempstead, Texas . Texas achieved its independence in 1836, and settlers arrived in greater numbers from

SECTION 10

#1732793833495

324-484: The 20th century, but stock raising and dairy farms contributed more to the overall agricultural economy in the later 20th century, making up 93% of its revenues. In addition, crops have become more diversified. Railroad restructuring in the late 20th century resulted in mergers among some lines. In the 21st century, State Highway 90 is the major north–south thoroughfare, and State Highways 30 and 105 run east–west. With some new manufacturing, population began to increase since

351-707: The Mexican government. A few historic buildings in Anderson, such as the Fanthorp Inn , date from this period, as well as some from the Republic of Texas and the early statehood years. For this reason, the town and nearby area have been designated the "Anderson Historic District", which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Anglo-American migration to what became Grimes County began in

378-533: The Pack Warehouse is located in an unincorporated area near the Pack Unit. School districts: Blinn College is the designated community college for all of the county. 30°33′N 95°59′W  /  30.55°N 95.98°W  / 30.55; -95.98 Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site The clapboard-covered log house was built in 1834 by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, as

405-422: The Spanish and joined with the remnants of other Native American people later in the historic period. The area saw very little settlement by Europeans or creole Spanish during the century of Spanish colonial rule . However, after Mexico gained its independence, it invited settlers from the United States to come to eastern Texas. They were allowed them to practice their own religion, as long as they swore loyalty to

432-696: The United States. The fertile lowlands were initially used for cotton plantations, especially in the late antebellum period. Grimes County was organized in 1846, one year after the Republic of Texas agreed to be annexed by the United States. From 1850 to the Civil War, the White population steadily increased, since the newcomers continued to bring slaves, the African American population increased even faster. Planters continued to grow cotton and corn as commodity crops. By 1860, 4,852 White inhabitants were in

459-421: The White Man's Union, a secret, oath-bound organization that violently took over elections in 1900, after killing several Black Populist leaders. It selected all county officials until 1958. White violence continued after Reconstruction and into the early 20th century, when Whites committed 9 lynchings of Blacks in the county, part of racial terrorism to suppress the freedmen . Grimes and Freestone Counties had

486-403: The average family size was 3.21 persons. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 124.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.6 males. The median income for a household in the city

513-459: The county, plus 5,468 slaves, who made up 53% of the population. The White population had doubled in the preceding decade, while the slave population had tripled. Grimes had a total of 505 slaveholding families in 1860, with 77 owning 20 slaves or more, that number considered the minimum for major planters. It was one of 17 counties in the state where slaveholders held on average, more than 10 slaves each. In such conditions, Whites were anxious after

540-441: The county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km ). The 9,490 housing units had an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 71.79% White, 19.96% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 5.98% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. About 16.08% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. Christianity

567-581: The county. The sheriff holds primary law enforcement responsibility over the county's unincorporated areas, and several cities covered under various interlocal agreements. The current sheriff, Donald G. Sowell, has held the office since 1998. Other elected county officials include: The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the O.L. Luther Unit and the Wallace Pack Unit in an unincorporated area in Grimes County. In addition,

SECTION 20

#1732793833495

594-714: The emancipation of slaves, and also struggled with adapting to a free labor market. White violence rose after the war, and the Ku Klux Klan established a local chapter in 1868 to assert dominance. Federal troops were stationed in the area and the Freedman's Bureau had an office in the county. They were not successful in protecting freedmen, but the Bureau established schools in the area. Determined to crush Populist efforts and alliances with Republicans that resulted in victories in 1896 and 1898, White Democrats formed what became

621-436: The late 1970s. In 2014, the census estimated 27,172 people living in Grimes County. About 59.5% were Anglo, 22.6% were Hispanic, and 16.5% were African American. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 802 square miles (2,080 km ), of which 14 square miles (36 km ) (1.8%) is covered by water. As of the 2000 census , 23,552 people, 7,753 households, and 5,628 families were residing in

648-408: The population. There were 56 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 44.6% had married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% had non-families; 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 persons and

675-487: The same number of lynchings in this period, ranking as the fifth-highest totals in a state where lynchings were widespread and conducted in many counties. The economy declined in the late 19th century, increasing social tensions. In 1859, the Houston and Texas Central extended its line into the county. Anderson, the county seat, rejected it and was bypassed for Navasota, which soon surpassed it in size. Anderson finally got

702-514: Was $ 40,313, and the median income for a family was $ 40,750. Males had a median income of $ 24,583 versus $ 21,458 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,309. There were 6.5% of families and 10.4% of the population living below the poverty line , including 18.2% under eighteen years and 33.3% over 64. Todd Mission is served by the Navasota Independent School District . Its comprehensive high school

729-407: Was 2.69, and the average family size was 3.18. In the county, the age distribution was 24.8% under 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.50 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 124.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 32,280, and for

#494505