The New International Encyclopædia/Richmond (England)

RICHMOND. A town in Surrey, England, 8 miles west-southwest of London, on the right bank of the Thames (Map: England, F 5). It is a favorite summer resort for Londoners. The rich and beautiful scenery of the vicinity is seen with advantage from the Terrace, which stretches along the brow of the hill, on the slopes and summit of which the town is built. The banks of the Thames are studded with villas, and around the town are numerous nurseries and kitchen gardens. As Schene or Sheen, Richmond was a royal residence from the time of Edward I. until the reign of James II. To the southeast of the town is Richmond Park, presented to the citizens of London by Charles I. in 1634. Richmond was not incorporated until 1890, but had been favored with a progressive vestry which established a water supply, public baths, and a free library. The municipality has built a fine town hall, artisans' dwellings, technical school, and isolation hospital, and maintains cemeteries, sewage works, and pleasure grounds. Population, in 1891, 26,875; in 1901, 31,677. Consult: Chancellor, Historical Richmond (London, 1885); Garnett, Richmond (ib., 1896).