Editing Jersey Village, Texas (section)

==History==

The 1936 Harris County highway map indicated several residences in the area. Clark W. Henry owned {{convert|1236|acre|km2}} of land on which he operated F&M Dairy and raised [[Jersey cattle]]. Henry discontinued his dairy when his health declined, and he gave the land up so a residential community could be built in 1953.<ref name="Handbook"/><ref name="JVHistory">"[http://www.jerseyvillage.info/History/index.html The History of Jersey Village]." ''City of Jersey Village''. Retrieved on November 27, 2008.</ref> Henry and LeRoy Kennedy, members of the Garden Oaks Baptist Church, began developing the community in February 1954. At first, the city had {{convert|5|mi|0}} of streets and drainage, gas, sewage, and water services. Several houses were established along Jersey Drive. The first family moved to the subdivision in late October 1954.<ref name="JVHistory"/> The community developed a school, a park, and an 18-hole golf course. Jersey Village incorporated on April 16, 1956, with all 58 votes in favor of incorporation and a volunteer police force.<ref name="Handbook"/><ref name="JVHistory"/> Because of the incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Jersey Village's territory into its city limits.<!--Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is ''not'' included in the online edition--><ref name="Annexbitter">Lee, Renée C. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4243441.html Annexed Kingwood split on effects]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. "Some of the area communities that incorporated as cities and escaped annexation by Houston:" Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is ''not'' included in the online edition.</ref>

In 1961, Jersey Village had 493 residents.<ref name="Handbook"/> On July 6, 1972, Leonard Rauch gave Jersey Village a city hall building; as of 2008 the building was used for the fire department and public works departments. In 1977 the city passed a bond issue, leading it to construct a new city hall, a city garage, a park pavilion, and an expansion of the fire department building.<ref name="JVHistory"/> In 1980, the city had 966 residents. In 1982, this figure increased to 4,084.<ref name="Handbook"/> In August 1986, officials announced that the city passed a home rule charter, with a passing vote of 306–36. Under a home rule charter, Jersey Village gained more taxation and governing powers than it had as a general law city.<ref name="JVHistory"/><ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1986_258957 Baycliff (sic) kills incorporation, Jersey Village votes home rule]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday August 11, 1986. Section 1, Page 9.</ref> In 1988 the population increased to 5,143. In 1990 Jersey Village had 4,938 residents.<ref name="Handbook"/>