According to the Friendswood Historical Society: The City of Friendswood, situated on FM 518 in the northwest corner of Galveston County, (half-way between Houston and Galveston), has the distinction of being the only permanent town in Texas that was started as a Quaker Settlement. A State Historical Marker, erected in 1967, states that Friendswood was founded by a group of Quakers, led by T. Hadley Lewis and Frank J. Brown. These leaders were looking for a “promised land”; a place to establish a settlement for the religious denomination called ‘Friends’ or Quakers. The carefully thought-out name for the new settlement, Friendswood, was registered at the Galveston County Courthouse July 16, 1895.
The city began thriving as a farming community with fig orchards, Satsuma orange groves, and rice fields, which brought many more Quaker families to Friendswood, as the westward movement across the nation began. The population of the city had been slow to grow until a plan for incorporation was completed in 1960. During the 1960’s, the population grew at a rapid pace because of employment opportunities at the Johnson Space Center.
Today, Friendswood boasts a population close to 37,000 residents. The City has been recognized as the “20th Safest City in America” by Neighborhood Scout and received the new “Best City to Live” Award from the Bay Area Houston Magazine’s Best of the Bay Awards. A recent Citizen Survey, conducted by a local survey research firm, showed that 96% of residents rate the quality of life in Friendswood as “excellent” or “good”. 97% of responding residents also rated Friendswood as a “very safe” or “safe” community.
Friendswood is located in South Harris County and Northern Galveston County with easy access to Houston and Galveston. The city maintains a unique blend of beautiful parks, natural trails and lush landscaping, along with a championship golf course. Family-friendly programs abound, especially during the summer months with an annual 4th of July parade, Concerts in the Park, sporting leagues and activities for both children and adults of all ages. Served by two school districts, students in Friendswood attend either Clear Creek ISD or Friendswood ISD schools. Both school districts are highly rated in the state.
Friendswood offers single-family residential housing in pleasant park-like settings and master-planned communities for new homes in a variety of styles in neighborhood subdivisions. Several communities also offer seniors upstanding independent and assisted living.
From its humble beginnings as a Quaker settlement, to the current population of many professionally-employed young families, Friendswood continues to reflect the tradition of family values, quality education, excellent housing, and a premier lifestyle.
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Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog
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