Fort Bend County’s little known African American history is in danger of being forgotten. Especially as it relates to struggles around voting rights in areas like Stafford and Fifth Street. The west end of the County commemorates the Terry V. Adams, which ended whites only primaries in Texas. See ceremony below:

Terry v. Adams Marker Dedication, Part IX from Michael Emery on Vimeo.

Little is known about the struggles of African Americans for self determination throughout Fort Bend County.

In 1907, James Tucker bought sixty-six acres of land in Stafford including a thirty five-acre tract purchased from Dr. William Cochran for $1800, located in what is now known as “the island” the strip of land situated between N Main and S Main Streets in the art of Stafford.

Besides farming, James operated a gristmill and a service station and Louise had a Bar B Q stand and beauty shop. According to their grandson, Rothwell Ward, James and Louise were also the first African Americans in the area to vote after the poll tax was abolished (Stafford Historical Society).

James Tucker was one of the trustees of the Farmers Improvement Society Cemetery located along Fifth Street in Stafford.  Efforts are under way to maintain the historic cemetery where Tucker and so many other African American laborers, veterans, leaders, and Fort Bend County land owners are buried and bring culturally relevant development to the larger community.