Richmond - Virginia - History
After two unsuccessful attempts to settle this naturally advantaged location for transportation and trade, settlers enjoyed a change of luck. By 1644, the construction of Fort Charles began attracting many new settlers. Soon, the community grew into a popular trading post for furs, hides and tobacco.
Richmond was founded in 1737 by Colonel William Byrd II. He inherited the former Stegg lands on both sides of the James River from his father and became known himself as the "Father of Richmond." He visited here in 1733 and planned to build a city. Four years later, his friend William Mayo made a map of Richmond and the first lots were sold.
There were only 250 people living in Richmond when it became a town in 1742. In May, 1782, about two and half years after the British surrendered at Yorktown, the General Assembly wanted a central location less exposed than Williamsburg to British incursions and moved the State Capitol to Richmond. On July 19 of that same year, Richmond's first City Charter was legalized.
The first self government was established with the City's incorporation in 1782. Twelve men were to be elected from the City at-large and they were to select one of their own to act as Mayor, another to serve as Recorder and four to be Aldermen. The remaining six were to be members of the Common Council.
By terms of the second charter of March, 1851, all City officials were elected. This method worked as long as the City was small, and most voters knew personally both the qualifications of the men for whom they were voting and the requirements of the jobs to which they were elected.
Under the "strong Mayor" government of the 1918 Charter, the Mayor controlled the administrative policies of the City and was responsible for many key appointments. The City population grew from 127,989 in 1910 to 171,677 during the following decade. It had become too complex for the old custom of electing all officials. The short ballot was adopted and the Mayor was expected to fill the remaining offices with qualified appointees.
In 1948, the City Charter established the present Council-Manager form of government. The one-chamber City Council, composed of nine elected members, is the legislative body of the City and has the authority to issue bonds and enact ordinances and resolutions. The position of Mayor, aside from legislative duties, is now largely a ceremonial one and most former administrative and appointive responsibilities have been transferred to the City Manager.
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