BRAZOS COUNTRY, in 1978, a small independent oil company from Houston, probably looking for investments because of the profits that the high prices of oil were bringing, came into Austin County and purchased 650 acres of ranch land immediately west of the Brazos River and south of I-10. The ranch, known as the Chew Ranch, consisted of approximately 1,000 acres, 350 of which were kept by the ranch to raise cattle along the banks of the river.
The 650-acre tract was subdivided into plots of 1,2, and 3 acres and development of the subdivision known as Brazos Country began. In 1979 the first few houses were built and occupied by owners whose job locations ranged from Rosenberg to Houston. As the years passed new houses were built, slowed greatly by the economic downturn of the mid-1980’s. When the economy rebounded in the early 1990’s, growth of new homes increased accordingly as more and more families moved to Brazos Country and began their daily commutes to Houston.
In 1997, an investment group from Houston bought the remaining 350 acres of ranch land and began construction of an upscale golf course. River Ridge’s 27 holes opened for play in late 1998. Since its inception, River Ridge has been in the top ten rankings of golf courses in the greater Houston area. Sadly, the golf course was permanently closed in November of 2017 after suffering from 3 floods in consecutive years including Huracan Harvey in late August of 2017.
In 1999, Katy Mills Mall opened. The growth of Katy and the impending growth of the I-10 corridor prompted the residents of Brazos Country to petition Austin County to hold an incorporation election in May 2000. By a large margin, residents voted to incorporate as a municipality. State laws mandated the City of Brazos Country as a Class B municipality limited to two square miles, because the population was under 600. Today, the City of Brazos Country, recognized as a community of executive homes and beautiful landscape, is still experiencing growing pains and will soon surpass the 600-population figure.