Things to Know About Richardson, TX

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Richardson is a city in Texas, and it is popular for being one of the main cities in Dallas and Collin counties. This place has a population of more than 100,000 residents. It is also the home of the University of Texas at Dallas, which puts a strong college feel to it. And aside from that, this place also has a rich cultural diversity, which many people who go here, love.

The area of Richardson is twenty-eight square miles. The city is also the home of the Telecom Corridor. This means that many of the world’s leading networking and telecommunications companies are based in the City of Richardson, including Samsung, Texas Instruments, ZTE, Fujitsu, AT&T, and Verizon, among many others.

Office building in Richardson

If you are thinking about traveling to Texas soon, then you might want to give the city of Richardson a visit. It’s because there are lots of exciting things you can do here. If you are wondering about what those activities are, or if you want to know more about the city, then you’re in the right place. Today, we are giving you a brief history of Richardson, Texas, and as well as the attractions you can see here when you visit.

History of Richardson, TX

Before, the Richardson area was inhabited by Comanche and Caddo Indian tribes, until the settlers from Tennessee and Kentucky began arriving there in the 1840s. Some of the earliest families clustered around an area, which is later called Breckinridge. The town was located near what is now Richland College. Before, it only consisted of a general store, the Floyd Inn, and a blacksmith shop.

After the Civil War, William J. Wheeler donated land for the city to be built. However, he denied taking the credits by having the town named after him. Instead, the city was named after Alfred S. Richardson, who was the railroad’s secretary.

In 1873, the city was chartered and was located between the present-day Philip and Greer streets. At that time, the only activities in the town included a post office to send and receive letters and messages, a general store for the people to buy goods, and a drug store where they could receive medication. In 1908, an electric railway was established to connect Richardson to Denison and other surrounding areas.

In 1910, the population of the city rose to about 600 people. In 1914, the present-day Richardson’s administrative offices were built to what was then referred to as the red brick schoolhouse. In 1924, the building of the present-day Greenville Avenue was completed. This led to increased traffic since the population was also growing alongside the increased value of properties.

In 1925, the city elected their first mayor to be Thomas F, McKamy. Notable improvements were experienced in the community through the operation of joint businesses. In 1926, after the completion of waterworks, people could now furnish their homes using the available indoor water. In that year, there was also the construction of sewage treatment. In addition to this, volunteer fire department construction was completed and began its operation.

In 1940, the population increased to 740. After the 2nd World War, the area continued to grow and expand, with the population rising to 1,300 by the year 1950. The city experienced new municipal services, with residents receiving the benefits of the same. A Richardson office was opened by Collins Radio that saw to the city getting into an electric era in 1951.

In 1954, the central expressway was opened to pave the way for the past agricultural city to become the home and shopping center for the residents. The first Richardson’s police department was opened in 1955. In 1960, offices were opened on Richardson’s southern border, which led to an increase in population and a rise in the economic status of the city.

Between 1940 and 1960, there was a notable increase in population and economic growth. In 1964, the community decided to focus much on education, and hence a center for advanced studies was opened. This center was later changed to the University of Texas at Dallas in 1969. There was an enrollment of approximately 32,000 students.

The population stood at 56,000 in 1972. Most houses were built between 1970 and 1979, and this decreased in the 1980s. Additionally, there was commercial development during the same period. The population according to the census in 1990 was at 74,840. It was believed to have increased due to the advancement of the northeast part of the city. Population increase continued throughout the 1990s.

The city continued to grow with the high employment rates that came from the telecom corridor companies, and in 2010 the population had risen to 99,223. The city has since then been known for its economic stability and employability.

Attractions found in Richardson, Texas

Fort Richardson Historical Marker

Here are some of the best places that you can visit in Richardson, Texas:

The North Texas Automotive Museum

If you are a car enthusiast, then this is the perfect place you can visit in Richardson. This city is famous for its automobile industry, and with this fantastic museum, car enthusiasts are provided with a walk down the memory lane. You will find a wide range of classic cars on display at this museum. The North Texas Automotive Museum also has a friendly staff that will guide and answer any questions you might have.

Breckinridge Park

This is a large and versatile park with walking and bike trails that have rest areas when you get exhausted. There is also a fish pond where you can carry out fishing, and a playing ground area for the kids to play in and later eat your packed lunch. If you love a serene, friendly, and warm nature, then this is definitely a place that you must visit in Richardson.

Heights Park

If you are looking forward to booking a family-friendly space, then this is the place to visit. Heights Park is spacious, and that makes it perfect for outdoor picnics. During the night, you can find here lightning bugs that have magical glows to light up your night. The park is well kept, and under the tree, you can find picnic tables where you can rest with your whole family after an activity. In addition to this, the atmosphere in the park is fantastic, giving you more reasons to feel relaxed.

Spring Creek Nature Area

This is one of the green nature areas in the city. It has paved trails through the wooded nature, and emergency codes are posted after every 100 miles in case of unexpected events. The park is clean and very safe for people of all ages.

You can also bring your dog along when you go here as there are dog walking trails where you can easily stroll. When you walk around, you will see lots of butterflies and birds flying over your head. You’ll be able to enjoy their company and as well as bird chirps firsthand.

The available trails in the Spring Creek Nature Area can help you stroll through the acres of swampy woodland. It is an excellent place to learn about wetlands with the help of the rangers.

K1 Speed

K1 Speed is where electric car racing takes place, and it’s great to experience it whether you’re alone or in a team. The place operates daily, and you can choose among the many different drive racing packages they offer. All of the karts they provide here include live, onboard telemetry. This means that you can track your lap times in real-time. And if you are planning a party or team building, you can surely reserve a race package for your group.

The area also has a variety of food choices that are affordable, thus very convenient if you want a quick snack fixed for you. It’s an exciting and entertaining place for both adults and children.

Apart from being one of the earliest towns, the city of Richardson also has a great history that points out how the town was established and has continued to grow. It is one of the cities that’s worth visiting because aside from its rich historical background, it also has various attractions you can enjoy when you visit.

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