Stafford is a little-known city in the Houston Metro area. It provides the quaintness and small-town feel of a suburb, with easy access to the bustling Houston area to the north. With an easy commute into Houston, Stafford has quickly become a popular place to live.
History of the City of Stafford
This city is named after William Stafford, the founder who established a plantation here in 1830. Along with the plantation was a cane mill and cotton gin for processing the raw materials from the plantations. Six years later in April of 1836, Santa Anna ordered the plantation burned to the ground during the Texas Revolution. William Stafford rebuilt it and lived there until his death four years later in 1840.
Economy of Stafford
Although the city serves primarily as the home of commuters of Houston worker, until recently, there was a significant presence by a Texas Instruments plant. Texas Instruments is most well-known for its scientific calculators, but they also manufacture internal components for all kinds of different electronics. Texas Instruments was Stafford's largest employer until 2012 when they decided to close the plant. Of its 1,000 employees, it laid off 500 of the workers and sent the rest to another plant.
Stafford also has a robust convention center that hosts conferences and business events throughout the year. It draws in visitors from around the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland metro area as well as from around the world. It was named by the Houston Chronicle's Houston's 200 Ultimates list.
Stafford's Parks and Recreation
Stafford is an excellent place for families to live. With over 35 acres of park space, there are plenty of green space for families to enjoy the outdoors, playgrounds, and other recreational activities.
The largest park in the city is Stafford City Park and boasts 16 acres of playgrounds, softball and baseball fields, a soccer field, a pavilion for concerts and other shows, basketball courts and other facilities. It also has benches and picnic areas for families and friends to enjoy.
The second largest park is called Gordon Fountain Lake Park and encompasses 9 acres of park space. This park includes a running and walking trail. It also has a lake. Fountain Lake Park is what the locals call it. It's also a popular gathering point for local bird watchers.
There's also a beautiful rose garden next to the city hall called Margaret Havens Historical Memorial Garden. Its a popular spot for relaxing, but also for wedding ceremonies. Given it's proximity to the Stafford City Hall, couples can easily get their marriage certificates and have a beautiful ceremony right next door.
The city's Municipal Complex also provides a swimming pool facility for residents. It only costs $10 a year for residents to use the pool at any time throughout the year.
Stafford's Cultural Activities
Being so close to the city of Houston, local Stafford residents have plenty of cultural and entertainment options nearby. But for those who prefer to be homebound, there's plenty to do inside Stafford's city limits as well.
The city has a 1,100 seat performing arts center called the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Centre. The center hosts live concerts by symphony orchestras and performing arts from every genre from country to rock. The center also has a 20,000 square foot ballroom space for large events. It also has 24 acres of green space for outdoor activities, festivals and concerts.
City Property Taxes
Stafford is one of the few cities in the country that levy's no property taxes. It's the only city in the Houston metro area that doesn't do so. The city is funded almost exclusively from business sales and franchise taxes. The city actively promotes the fact that they have no taxes for residents. In fact, the by-line on their website is "The City with No City Property Taxes". Property taxes ceased in 1995.
Lawn Love - Stafford's Choice for Landscaping
Stafford's 36 acres of public green space isn't the only green in this beautiful city. Homeowners throughout the city take pride in their land, especially their lawns. When proud Stafford residents want to provide the tender love and care that their lawns deserve, they call Lawn Love. They'll get premium, affordable treatment from start to finish, and end up with lawns they're genuinely proud to show off to their neighbors and friends.
