Montgomery, Texas, history, landmarks, attractions, photos, travel, hotels & more. (original) (raw)
Texaco gas station and crossroad
Vintage Photo Courtesy Jean Broussard
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History in a Pecan Shell
The town of Montgomery predates Texas Independence. Andrew J. Montgomery established a trading post west of town as early as 1823. In 1837 it became the first county seat of the third county formed by the Republic of Texas. The east-west boundaries of Montgomery County had originally been between the Brazos and Trinity Rivers.
The town was granted a post office in 1846 and it was incorporated two years later. Montgomery was at the crossroads of two stage lines - the best status a town could have in pre-railroad Texas. In 1850 it had its courthouse as well as a Masonic lodge, and Baptist and Methodist churches.
Montgomery's first problem occurred in in the 1850s when the town was hit by a yellow fever epidemic. The second problem was when the railroad arrived. In 1870 when the Houston and Great Northern Railroad came to Montgomery County, the tracks came directly through the center of the county. This one act bypassed Montgomery and established Conroe at the same time. The third blow came when Conroe was declared the Montgomery county seat in 1889. Conroe had taken everything but its name.
The courthouse and railroad depleted the population of Montgomery from 1,000 in 1890 to only 600 by 1892. By 1925 there were only 350 Montgomerites. After WWII it increased to 750 in 1950 but this was short-lived. The town's population shrunk again back to only 300 in the 1980s.
Montgomery Attractions/Landmarks
Photographer's Note:
Montgomery is a photographer's dream...
Ferland Historical Park is a work in progress. - Barclay Gibson, July 2011
Restored Log Cabin on display in Fernland Historical Park
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
1902 Old Baptist Church
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
Montgomery Baptist Church Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
First State Bank of Montgomery
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
Montgomery County Strap Iron Jail
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
Montgomery County Jail
1855-1889
Jail built by Pauly Jail Company in St. Louis, Missouri. Cells were in wooden one room building that sat next to the courthouse which was located on this lot. Cells were moved down to the railroad depot after courthouse was moved to Conroe. Cells remained at railroad until being moved to its present location in 1981 by A.E. Smallwood of the Montgomery Civic Association.
- Text on display
Montgomery County C.S.A. Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2011
Historical Marker:
Montgomery County, C. S. A.
A wealthy farm area in 1861. In Civil War, supported Texas with goods, funds and men. 2 companies from here were in famed Hood's Texas Brigade-- with only 9 men in one living to return. Young boys, old men and the partially disabled formed 5 home guard and state companies. The county clothed its own soldiers. The Courthouse, then on this site, had a sewing room for that work; home looms, cotton cards and needles also cooperated. Homefolk ate sparingly, had few new clothes. By 1864, so much was given to war effort that not a store was open in Montgomery.
A closer look at the station
Vintage Photo Courtesy Jean Broussard
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