With Installation of Plaque Downtown
Community members gathered today at Fountain Corner in Downtown Richardson to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation with the unveiling of a new historical plaque.
The plaque marks a pivotal moment in Richardson’s history. On June 22, 1925, residents voted to incorporate as a municipality during a meeting held at the McKamy-Reddick General Merchandise Store, located in what is now Downtown Richardson. In that election, 83 percent of eligible voters participated, with 112 out of 125 casting ballots in favor of incorporation. At the time, Richardson had a voting population of 150 and established its initial city boundaries encompassing approximately 650 acres.
That same election resulted in the appointment of Richardson’s first municipal leaders, with Thomas F. McKamy elected as mayor and Earl E. Huffhines and T.A. Berryman serving as commissioners.
The plaque unveiling was attended by Mayor Amir Omar and members of the Richardson City Council, who gathered with residents to reflect on the city’s growth and legacy. Mayor Omar delivered remarks honoring the original voters and city founders.
“Today’s plaque unveiling honors that pivotal moment 100 years ago when we shifted from a small rural town to a city with a bold vision for the future,” said Richardson Mayor Amir Omar.
The installation of the plaque follows Richardson’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2023, which marked 150 years since the community’s founding in 1873. While the 1925 election formalized Richardson’s incorporation, the city’s roots extend five decades earlier.
Since that time, Richardson has significantly expanded beyond its original footprint. In the late 1960s and 1970s, the city annexed large areas to the north and northeast, including land west of Jupiter Road and what is now known as the northeastern “panhandle,” a narrow stretch extending toward Plano and Murphy. In 1996, Richardson formally annexed the former City of Buckingham, a 159-acre community that had previously operated as an independent municipality. These expansions brought new neighborhoods and commercial districts into the city, contributing to Richardson’s continued growth and evolution.
The plaque serves as a tribute to the early residents who voted to establish a self-governing municipality under Texas law. Incorporation gave the city the power to form its own local government, pass ordinances, manage land use and zoning, and provide essential services such as police and fire protection, water and sewer systems, and sanitation. In contrast, unincorporated areas rely on county governments for basic services and often have limited local control.
As of May 2025, Texas is home to 1,225 incorporated municipalities, including 971 cities, 231 towns, and 23 villages, according to state classifications.
As Richardson marks 100 years since its incorporation and the adoption of its original City Charter, officials emphasize that the work of shaping local governance continues. The City is currently undergoing a Charter review process to evaluate and modernize the document that defines how the municipal government operates. While the first Charter was adopted in 1925, the city periodically revisits its provisions to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the community. Proposed updates will be presented to voters for approval later this year.
