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Welcome to Conroe!
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Location: |
Montgomery County, Texas (TX) |
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Area Code: |
936 |
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Population: |
36811 |
General
Spanish explorers discovered much of today's Montgomery County. France claimed the territory in 1685, and Spain later fought to gain control. The area next came under Mexico's rule, and eventually in 1836, when the Republic of Texas was born, Montgomery County was created by Governor Sam Houston.
In the early 1840's, sawmills became the area's economic mainstay. In 1881 Isaac Conroe moved his sawmill to the site that bears his name today. The town thrived in the late 1800's after the railroad had been established.
Seat of Montgomery County on southern edge of Sam
Houston National Forest with towering pines, rolling hills, and woodland lakes.
Backpacking along the 127-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail amid the unspoiled beauty
of the forest is popular with hikers, where they often see rare and uncommon
birds, including the red-cockaded woodpecker. The county is known as
"Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag." In 1839 the state legislature
adopted the flag designed by resident and patriot, Dr. Charles B. Stewart, as
the official state flag. Resorts, golf and tennis, campgrounds and marinas dot
the tree-lined shore of Lake Conroe.
Storied community of Cut and Shoot is 5 miles east of Conroe where flea markets
flourish on the weekend.
Just down Lake Conroe Parkway is the town of Montgomery where you can take a self-guided tour of historic homes, buildings, and antique shops.
Shoppers find bargains at Prime Outlets at I-45 and League Line Rd. and at quaint antique malls throughout the city.
For a family outing with lots of music, the Montgomery County Jamboree plays every third Sat. of the month featuring country/Western, gospel, bluegrass, and Cajun music. Musicians welcome. Jam session at 5 p.m.; show starts at 6:30 p.m. Held at Robinson Road Community Center.
The Lake Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau can provide additional information for events, lodging, and dining facilities. Contact them at 1-800-283-6645.
Lake Conroe Information
Partly edged by Sam Houston National Forest. At lakeside are several marinas with boat ramps and boat rentals (including sailboats)and campgrounds. Dam and observation point off Texas 105 west of Conroe. Other access from I-45 via FM 1097 west, and FM 830 (not shown on most maps) west. Excellent for native game fish, catfish, and introduced species including striped bass and walleye.
Size and Depth
21,000 surface acres at a normal pool elevation of 201 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The average depth is 20.5 feet and the maximum depth is around 70 feet. The lake level fluctuates no more than 5 feet and usually less than 2 feet per year.
Water Source
An impoundment of the West Fork San Jacinto River completed in 1973. Additional inlets include East Sandy, Smith Branch, Brown, Sand, Weirs, Chambers, Hosstetter, Stewart, Martin, Atkins, Kelly and Caney Creeks. The lake is managed by the San Jacinto River Authority and provides water for municipal and industrial uses, conservation, power plant cooling and recreation.
Shoreline
About 150 miles of shoreline surround the lake. The upper one-third of the lake is bordered by the Sam Houston National Forest and is characterized by rolling hills that are heavily timbered with pine, oak and hickory and remain largely undeveloped. The lower two-thirds is quite developed and has bare banks, many of which are protected by riprap and wooden bulkheads.
Water
Very fertile with clarity ranging from 3 to 5 feet in the lower lake and 1.5 to 2 feet in the upper lake. The lake stratifies in early summer and turns over around November 1.
Cover
Although the lake was once smothered with weeds, close to 100 percent of the vegetation has been consumed by grass carp since they were introduced in 1981 to control hydrilla. Carp greatly changed the fishery. |Beginning in 1995, Texas Park and Wildlife Department installed 85 test plots of vegetation hoping for restoration of grasses. Results of the experiment are as yet unknown. |Some timber remains particularly in the creek arms immediately below the Cagle Recreation Area and up stream from Scotts Ridge. Countless brush piles have been placed by private individuals. Hundreds of private boat docks in the south half of the lake provide additional cover.
Map of Lake Conroe
(Click on for larger image)
Lake Conroe Park
Park features fishing piers, two swimming areas,
children's playground, picnic tables and grills, horseshoe pits, volleyball
courts and pavilion. On Texas 105 seven miles west of I-45.
Conroe, Texas
Hours Open 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. during summer; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. winter months
Heritage Museum of Montgomery County
In restored home of a pioneer timber family. Permanent exhibit features life of Charles B. Stewart, designer of the Texas
Lone Star flag and the Texas state seal; other historical miscellaneous and
traveling exhibits. In Candy Cane Park, I-45 access road north of Texas 105.
1506 I-45 North
Conroe, Texas
Hours Open Wed. - Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Telephone # (409)539-6873
Paddle Wheeler Southern Empress
Ply the waters of Lake Conroe while dining and
dancing. Dinner cruises offered Thurs. - Sat.; Captain's champagne brunch on
Sun. 
Reservations required.
Departs from Lakeview Marine on Texas 105 West, 7.5
miles
875 Beach Walk Blvd
Conroe
Telephone # (936)588-3000
Web Page Address: www.southernempress.com
Texas Renaissance Festival
On seven weekends in the fall (Oct. 5 - Nov.17), drive 6 miles south of
Plantersville on FM 1774 and discover medieval Europe on 237 wooded acres.
Men
wearing plumed hats and embroidered waistcoats, women in elegant long gowns with
the deeply scooped necklines 
of the 16th Century, harlequin jesters, minstrels,
armored knights, magicians and raffish gypsies. There's jousting, juggling and
dancing, and a feast from the King's banquet hall: giant turkey legs, sweet mead
wine, roasted corn, apple dumplings, and much.
21778 FM 1774
Plantersville, TX 77363
Telephone # (800)458-3435
Web Page Address: www.texrenfest.com
Crighton Theatre
Restored vaudeville theatre, built in 1934, is home to a variety of stage
plays, music performances, opera, ballet and special events. Call for
performance schedule.
234 N. Main
Conroe, Texas
Telephone # (936)441-ARTS
Fish Pond
This four-acre fishing facility is stocked with hybrid catfish.
Gear and bait
available for rent, or bring your own tackle. From I-45 North, exit Shepard Hill
Rd. to Texas 75. Admission Required.
Conroe, Texas
Hours Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 9
Telephone # (936)344-2027
Joe Roughneck Statue
Commemorating George William Strake, who brought in the 19,000-acre Conroe Oil Field in 1931 and became Houston's first oil millionaire. Outdoor exhibit at Heritage Museum, I-45 access road north of Texas 105.
Jones State Forest
A 1,725 acres pine and hardwood forest. Five miles southwest via I-45 and FM 1488. Birdwatcher's haven with over 150 species identified; boasts highest density of rare red cockade woodpecker. Sweet Leaf Nature Trail, self-guided tour.
Prime Outlets at Conroe
65 stores.
1111 League Line Rd. Suite 163A
Conroe, TX 77303
Telephone # (936)756-0999
Scenic Drive
Texas 105 west through piney woods to Montgomery 15 miles; driving tour of historic homes dating back to 1850s
Visitor Center
A re-created railroad depot serves as tourist information center for city and
county attractions. Also has recreational maps and marina guides. At 1504 I-45
North.
1504 I-45 North
Conroe, Texas
Hours Open Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Exceptions Closed on holidays
Telephone # (936)539-2502
Lone Star Hiking Trail
Features 127 miles of overland hiking trails with campgrounds, boat launches and picnic areas. Located in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Montgomery County Golf Center
Admissions Public
# of Par 3 Holes 9 Address
1780 I-45 South (Exit 83) City Conroe
Telephone # (936)273-4002
Wedgewood Golf Course
Admissions Public
# of Regular Holes 18
5454 Highway 105 West
Conroe, Texas
Telephone # (936)539-4653
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
This 13,000-seat outdoor performing arts center, surrounded by lush, green forest, hosts some of Texas' best live performances. Events range from classical to contemporary. From Houston, I-45 north, exit either on Woodlands Parkway or Lake Woodlands Dr. Follow signs to Pavilion parking.
Address: 2005
Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Web Page Address:
pavilion.woodlandscenter.org
Montgomery Historical Society's Historical Homes Tour
A driving and walking self-guided tour of 19 historical homes and businesses dating back to 1837.
Located in the City of Montgomery
Phone: (936)597-4899
Information Depot
A replica of the town depot, private information on Montgomery County and East Texas.
Located in Conroe
Phone: (936)539-2502