1893 Fort Bend County - General Land Office
DESCRIPTION
This detailed land ownership map of Fort Bend County, Texas was compiled for the Texas General Land Office and issued in March 1893. Titled Fort Bend County, the map was prepared under the authority of W. L. McGaughey, Commissioner of the General Land Office, whose signed certification attests that it was compiled from official records.
The map presents a comprehensive cadastral record of Fort Bend County, showing original land grants, surveys, and subsequent subdivisions in meticulous detail. Individual tracts are labeled with the names of grantees, dates of title, and patent or certificate references, documenting the layered process of settlement and land distribution. The Brazos River dominates the geography, winding through the county and forming a defining boundary for many adjacent surveys, while smaller creeks and natural features further structure the layout of property lines.
Railroad Development and Manuscript Annotations
Railroad development is clearly indicated, including the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad, illustrating the growing importance of rail transportation in shaping settlement patterns and agricultural expansion. Richmond is prominently identified along the Brazos River, underscoring its role as the county seat and a focal point of local commerce and administration. Additional hand annotations in orange and black, visible near the center of the map, that appear to a new railroad line with stops that would become towns labeled in black ink. Construction on this railway began in 1903 and would eventually be part of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway (GC&SF), and later, an extension of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The map was lithographically printed from manuscript compilation sources, a common Texas General Land Office practice that preserved the appearance of hand drafting while allowing for official distribution. Surrounding counties are labeled, including Harris, Waller, Austin, Wharton, and Brazoria.
CONDITION
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