Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce

Conroe History

I Love Conroe Default Website Image

Conroe, Texas was founded in 1881 by Isaac Conroe, a retired Union Cavalry captain who came to Texas after the Civil War. Conroe saw the potential for a lumber town at the site of his sawmill, which he had built at the junction of the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads. The town was originally named “Conroe’s Switch”, but the name was changed to Conroe in 1884.

The lumber industry was the driving force behind Conroe’s early growth. The town quickly became a major shipping center for lumber, cotton, livestock, and bricks. By the turn of the century, Conroe had a population of over 500 people and was the largest community in Montgomery County.

In the early 1900s, Conroe became a major oil boomtown. The discovery of oil in the area attracted new residents and businesses, and the town’s population skyrocketed. By the 1930s, Conroe was home to more millionaires per capita than any other town in the United States.

The oil boom eventually came to an end, but Conroe continued to grow. The city’s location between Houston and Dallas made it a popular destination for commuters and businesses. In recent years, Conroe has also become a popular tourist destination, thanks to its abundance of lakes and forests.

Today, Conroe is a thriving city with a population of over 100,000 people. The city is home to a variety of businesses, schools, and cultural attractions. Conroe is also a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with numerous parks, lakes, and trails.

Here are some of the key events in the history of Conroe, Texas:

  • 1881: Isaac Conroe builds a sawmill at the junction of the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads.
  • 1884: The town is renamed Conroe.
  • 1892: Conroe becomes a shipping center for lumber, cotton, livestock, and bricks.
  • 1900: Conroe has a population of over 500 people.
  • 1901: Oil is discovered in the area, sparking a major oil boom.
  • 1930s: Conroe is home to more millionaires per capita than any other town in the United States.
  • 1970s: Conroe begins to grow rapidly as a commuter town for Houston and Dallas.
  • 1990s: Conroe becomes a popular tourist destination, thanks to its abundance of lakes and forests.
  • Today: Conroe is a thriving city with a population of over 100,000 people.