Conroe, TX

The county seat of Montgomery County, Conroe is located 40 miles north of Houston and 25 miles north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Along with the cities of Montgomery and Willis, Conroe is part of the Lake Conroe Area, which has a population of just over 103,600. The growing population of Conroe itself is estimated around 45,000.

The Texas Legislature has officially honored Montgomery County as the "Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag" for the design contribution by the resident Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart to the state flag in the 1800s.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Conroe's early economy depended on local agriculture and the timber industry. Despite fires in 1901 and 1911 that destroyed a great deal of its downtown business district, Conroe continued to grow, earning the nickname of the "Miracle City." In 1931, when oil was discovered just outside of town, the Conroe Oilfield was established, and the community's economy soared. As a result, the Conroe school district became one of the wealthiest in Texas, and for a brief time, more millionaires per capita lived in Conroe than anywhere in the United States. Today, however, the annual average income in Conroe is below the national average.

Conroe's major employers include Bauer Manufacturing, ReedHycalog, McKesson and Texas Oil Tools.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Conroe accommodates about 14,000 houses with an occupancy ratio of about 92 percent. Out of these occupied houses, owners use 6,200 houses, whereas, renters occupy around 6,800 houses.

The walkability in Conroe is great and many bars, restaurants and movie theatres are located within a short distance from the center of the city.

The revitalized Downtown Conroe features several specialty shops, including furniture, antiques and home accessories. Downtown is also home to the Crighton Theatre, a restored vaudeville theater built in 1934 offering live performances and community events.

FAMILY FUN

• Jones State Forest: A site on the Great Coastal Birding Trail, the Jones State Forest is home to the red-cockaded woodpecker. Previously used primarily for forestry demonstrations, the forest now offers visitors a self-guided nature trail, a picnic area, two small ponds, and a lot for parking horse trailers.
• Montgomery County Preserve: Within this 71-acre preserve live beaver, rabbits, white-tailed deer, 17 species of butterflies, and at least 70 species of birds. The Montgomery County Preserve also features two hiking trails that allow guests to view nonnative plant life.
• Sam Houston National Forest: The Sam Houston National Forest has a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts:

• Hiking: The Lone Star Hiking Trail is a 140-mile trail that is divided into five loops, providing hikers with options for daytime walks of varying lengths, as well as overnight hikes.
• Camping: Kelly's Pond Campground is a popular spot for primitive camping, while Stubblefield Lake Campground is a developed camping area with sites for both tent and RV camping.
• Multiuse Trails: Parks throughout the forest have a number of multiuse trails for mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV riding.
• Boating: Boat launches are located at Cagle Recreation Area and Scott's Ridge.

BEST BETS

• Crighton Theatre: Built in 1934 for live vaudeville entertainment, Elvis Presley performed here in 1950. Today, this restored theater is the venue for staged plays, dance recitals, symphony performances, and other special events, including the renowned Sounds of Texas Music Series.
• Montgomery County Library: This facility houses one of the largest genealogy departments for tracing the ancestry of Texas families.
• Heritage Museum of Montgomery County: The exhibits at this museum tell the story of Montgomery County's development as an important timber and oil producer. The museum also includes displays about general Texas history and the cities of Conroe, Montgomery, and Willis in particular.
• Heritage Place Outdoor Theater: This outdoor amphitheater holds the summer concert series.
• Southern Empress Cruises: Guests can enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise aboard a paddleboat decorated in Victorian splendor.

Situated on the west fork of the San Jacinto River, Lake Conroe is bordered on the north by the Sam Houston National Forest. Here visitors may spot several species of birds, deer, and even alligators.

The lake boasts some of the best fishing in the region, with such types of fish as large-mouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and small-mouth buffalo fish. Visitors can hire guides to show them the current fishing hot spots.

Common activities at Lake Conroe include:

• Boating
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Riding jet skis
• Skiing

Conroe offers city parks and a number of golf courses, as well as the following sport spectator and enthusiast facilities:

• Conroe Storm: professional arena football team
• Creekwood Skeet and Trap Club: facility for sport shooting
• Gator Motorplex: sprint car racing track
• Shooters Station: indoor shooting range
• Three Palms/Armadillo BMX: BMX track

EDUCATION

Part of the Lone Star College System that was established in 1972 as North Harris County College, Lone Star College-Montgomery sits on 165 acres of forest between the Woodlands and Conroe.

SHOPPING

While Conroe provides easy access to Houston stores, shoppers can discover one-of-a-kind items at Conroe's many antique, boutique, and gift stores. An outlet center and several major department stores are also located in Conroe.

Every first Saturday of the month, those seeking fresh fruits, vegetables, jellies, honey, cheeses, meats, and salsas can visit Montgomery for its Lone Star First Saturday growers-only market. Nearby Plantersville is home to the Bernhardt Winery, which offers wine-pairing dinners, a unique selection of wines, and wine-related merchandise.