The oral history of Montgomery
Montgomery's history began back in 1823 when Andrew J. Montgomery made a trading post. On December 14, 1837, the town became the first county seat of Montgomery County, the third county formed under the Republic of Texas. Owen and Margaret Montgomery Shannon, were colonists of Stephan F. Austin, had settled their grant of land and traded with the Indians.
In July 1837, an advertisement ran on for the lots in the new town of Montgomery. Montgomery became and remained the seat of justice until 1889 when records were moved to Conroe, Texas.
In Montgomery's early days it was the trade center for a large farming area, where a stagecoach, railroad and telegraph lines crossed. In 1839 the first school was opened. In 1842 the firs Protestant parsonage in Texas was built here. The first post office opened in 1846. In 1848, the City of Montgomery was incorporated with Judge Nathaniel Hart Davis as mayor. In the 1850's Montgomery experienced a building boom and some of the fine homes still remain today.
The Civil War prompted to the stop of all progress in Montgomery. By the early 1900, numerous businesses, trades, railroads, hotels, doctors, dentists and lawyers were all in business.The town of Montgomery was thriving until the railroads bypassed it and the county seat was moved to Conroe. Montgomery then reverted back to a small town.
History by Kameron Searle
On 1836 the citizens of Washington County that are east of the Brazos petitioned the Congress of the Republic of Texas to create a new county to be called Travis County. The Travis County bill did not pass. On July 1837, the Town of Montgomery was founded by W. W. Shepperd in association with J. W. Moody. Shepperd and Moody named the town Montgomery after Montgomery County, Alabama where Moody had lived for many years and been the County Clerk of Montgomery County, Alabama before coming to Texas.
My opinion
I think that the oral history is more believable because it has more to do with someone named Montgomery. Usually county's towns, and cities are named by people. For example, Houston is named by Sam Houston, and Austin is named by Stephen F. Austin. Thats why i believe the oral history.
While I was gathering my infomation on Montgomery Gus my black lab saw a squreill and chased it. we couldn't find him. I just talked to a man who was repainting the sign here. He said he thought he saw a black dog running around somewhere. Looks like I have my first clue on where Gus might have ventured off to.... Hopefully we can find him in 1 piece! Let's GO!!
