Thank You Letter

 April 25, 2013

Jim's Hardware
14460 Liberty St
Montgomery, TX 77356

To the Employees of Jim's Hardware:

Thank you so much for letting me come into your shop and interview you.  I found out a lot of interesting things about the Campbell-Williams Home and saw some pretty old but cool artifacts.  I would like to thank Gary for helping me.

Love Always,

Lauren Bowen

To the people that helped me with this project.
No one really helped a lot except for my mom. but some people did help a little. I would like to thank Lexi Spinks mom for helping us finding some places on the way and Gary from Jim's Hardware. This project helped me learn a lot about our little town Montgomery. :)

Lake Creek Settlement

Montgomery is our town development
But it could have been named "_________ ___________" Settlement
You know know the early history that you never knew
Tell us about Montgomery in Two Zero One Two.


Answer:  Lake Creek Settlement

July 2012 marked the 175th anniversary of the founding of Montgomery, Texas. The town of Montgomery was founded in the middle of the Lake Creek Settlement by W. W. Shepperd in July, 1837 on 200 acres of land that had originally been part of the John Corner League. Shepperd had established the first store in the Lake Creek Settlement in 1835. W. W. Shepperd and his partner John Wyatt Moody named the town Montgomery.As of the census of 2000, there are 489 people, 199 households, and 133 families residing in the city.

The current mayor of Montgomery, TX is Mr. John Fox. City Council Members are John Bickford, John Champagne, Kirk Jones, Joe Shockley, and Thomas Knight. The Police Chief is Royce Goodson and Kilo is our Police K-9 Dog!

Montgomery offers guests a memorable visit with its preserved 19th Century Historic Downtown District, as well as its many fine retail shops, restaurants and local attractions. Located at the junction of Texas 105 and FM 149, Montgomery is located near the southwestern edge of Sam Houston National Forest in western Montgomery County. The center of town is 15 miles west of Conroe and 50 miles northwest of Houston.

Liberty Street Today!

Well, we ran out of riddles so we headed back to Cedar Brake Park. Guess who we found - just laying around?!? Mr. Gus all worn out from his adventures around Montgomery! What a fun experience and we learned so much! 

The 3 Churches

These churches started in 1865
And one in 97
Each guaranteed the newly freed
That they would end up in Heaven


Answer:  Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, & China Chapel

The Mt. Sinai Baptist Church was created in the Dupree School building in the year 1897 near its present location. The church was established by Rev. P.A. Northington and many others. The building was later modified and eventually replaced 85 years later.

The China Chapel Church was founded in 1865 when slaves were freed.  It was made with Sam I. Smith as the minister. It is located at 316 N. Liberty.  The original building was rebuilt under the leadership of Rev. J.E. Starks with help from the community.

Both the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church & the China Chapel were started in 1865 when the slaves were freed.

The Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church was established by Rev. C.L. McPherson Sr.  Services were held in a brush arbor until the church was built in 1897. A new church was erected in 1979 under the supervision of Rev. T.B. Reeves.

Must have just missed Gus - my next riddle seems to lead me back into town!  Let's see if we can find him there!

Shelton Smith House

A slave's cabin sits behind and to the right
It has been restored into a Honeymoon Delight
A bed and breakfast it has become
On Caroline Street you will find this home.


Answer:  Shelton-Smith House

The Shelton-Smith House located at 811 Caroline was built in the 1850's by John E. Shelton.  Shelton, a master craftsman, built the main portion of the house around 1858 for his friend Thomas W. Smith.  Smith became a major cigar manufacturer in this county.  A grand-daughter added the dormers during remodeling in 1922.  The Smith Family owned this house until 1924.

In 2000, Richard and March Eckhart purchased the property, restored it, and then opened it to the public in 2006 as the Caroline House.  The slave quarters still stand.  It was originally a one room box house with dirt floors and a front and back porch.

Texas Historical Marker at the Shelton-Smith House

Gus oh Gus where have you gone!?!  Let's see if we can find him with this next riddle!

Magnolia House

A beautiful house was built in 1854
It shows what life could be for the rich before the Civil War
But men did come and take the young to fight next to their side
Name the brigades who took these boys and the men with whom they ride.


Answer:  The Magnolia House

Built in 1854 for Peter J. Willis and wife, Caroline Womack; named for their daughter, first child born here (later Mrs. Geo. Sealy, Galveston; Magnolia Petroleum Company was also named for her). Ilai and Melissa Davis bought house furnished in 1868. Occupied continuously by their descendants who have preserved much of the original furniture brought here by boat and wagon from New York. Anna D. Weisinger, present owner, was only other child born here.

The Magnolia House

Marker By The Jail Reads:
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; one company had only 9 men living by 1865. Young boys, old men and the partially disabled formed 5 home guard and state companies.The original Texas Brigade was organized on October 22, 1861, primarily through the efforts of John Allen Wilcox, a member of the First Confederate Congress from Texas who remained as the brigade's political patron until his death in 1864. The brigade was initially and briefly under the command of Louis T. Wigfall until he took a seat in the Confederate Senate. Command was then given to John Bell Hood (hence the Texas Brigade was often known as "Hood's Brigade" or "Hood's Texas Brigade").

I think we're catching up to him now - Gus is bound to be worn out!!  I've got the next riddle so let's see where he might be!!

The Chilton House

This house is where the robbers fled
When they were caught, they all were dead
Tell us names that play a part
And the cemetery that would start.


Answer:  The Chilton House

This house is located at 709 College Street.  Reverend Thomas Chilton owned this house until he passed in 1854.  David Dean purchased the house in the 1880's and built a picket fence around the property using the heart pine cut at his mill.

On December 28, 1868 some members of the Jesse James gang came into town and started a shoot out.  Bob Oliver, a member of the gang, stole a horse from the Cartwrights.  The Cartwrights followed him to the Chilton-Dean house where his mom was staying and promised him they would not shoot if he came out.  The boys instead stabbed him with a Bowie knife.  Oliver ran back in the house and died under a bed.

All four members of the Jesse James gang were dead when it was over.  They were not permitted to be buried in the town cemetery   The New Montgomery Cemetery was started.  It is here that the members of the Jesse James gang are laid to rest.

The Chilton House

This home was just down the street from the Parsonage so Gus couldn't have gone too far! We've received another riddle - let's see where Gus takes us next!

Methodist Parsonage

The members of a church
Pay for a parsonage
In order to furnish a place
For the minister to live
You will find a house on College Street
Where many times the congregation would meet.


Answer:  Methodist Parsonage

In one of first charges to be established in Texas (1838) in time of the Republic. First Montgomery parsonage was first built by any Protestant church in Texas. This second Montgomery parsonage was bought in 1886.  A Parsonage is the house provided by a church for its pastor.

The Methodist Parsonage

Such a lovely little home!  Gus was here but now he's not!  We were given the next riddle as to where he might have headed so let's go!

Price Hotel, Magnolia House, and Arnold-Simonton House

When Houston traveled
Homes they would share
Your job is to find
The location of the hotel and two houses somewhere.

Answer:  The Price Hotel, the Magnolia House, and the Arnold-Simonton House

The three places that Sam Houston occasionally stayed on his trips to Montgomery were the Price Hotel, the Magnolia House, and the Arnold-Simonton House.

The Price Hotel was built in 1858 by a local doctor named Dr. J.H. Price.  This hotel was a resting place for stage coaches during their trips.  It provided a place for the horses to be rested and fed or new horses to be hitched to the coach.  Artifacts from this era are still found at the site today (Jim's Hardware).

The Magnolia House located at 801 College Street was built in 1854 by John Shelton for the Peter Willis family.  It was named after their first born daughter.  The fully furnished house was purchased by Ilai C. Davis in 1868 and is still owned by his descendants.  The current owner is the only other child born in this house.

The Arnold-Simonton House was built in 1845 by Dr. E.J. Arnold.  It was a typical cottage with dentil trim, wide hall, and wainscoting. The home gifted to the Montgomery Historical Society from the Simonton family and now sits within the Fernland Historical Park.  A replica of the Old Town Montgomery is available for viewing within this house.

Picture of the Original "Price Hotel" which once stood where Jim's Hardware is now located

Artifacts found at the site of the Price Hotel

The Magnolia House

Historical Marker at the Magnolia House

The Arnold-Simonton Home located in Fernland

Gus made friends over at Jim's Hardware!  He didn't stay long though - he's out nosing around for more history!  Mr. Gary at Jim's Hardware gave me the next riddle - let's see if we can sniff out where Gus-man ventured off to now!

Buffalo Falls at Memory Park

Majestically stands tatanka
Guarding this pond and park
Names will be here forever
Historically making a mark.


Answer:  Buffalo Falls at Memory Park

The buffalo is a giant life sized statue that watches over Memory Falls.  It reminds us of the animal that used to roam wild in this area and other parts of our country.

Memory Park is a community project coordinated by the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe, in conjunction with different community organizations and Montgomery County. Materials and plants have been donated for the park and various areas of the park have been constructed by different service organizations.

Memory Park is alive with native and naturalized Texas trees and plants, and there are walking trails, benches for relaxing, pavilions, a fountain, bridges, rainwater projects, a duck nesting area, specialized gardens, a naturalized area and waterfalls surrounding a large pond. The park contains a Shakespeare garden featuring a bust of the bard, signage in braille donated by the Lions Club, and various statues including the Honor Flight Eagle dedicated to the local veterans of World War II. Many of the plants and items in the park have been purchased and donated by families in memory of their loved ones.

Memory Park is so beautiful!!  We will definitely be going back to visit!  So relaxing and peaceful!  We still haven't caught up to the Gus-man but I'm sure we're getting close!  He has to be worn out by now!  I saw some paw prints in the mud of the little pond. The librarian gave me another riddle to solve - so let's see where Mr. Adventurous takes us next!

Fernland Park

Historic homes have been moved
To a new location
Research the start of the park
and the home with the National Registration.


Answer:  Fernland Park

Located within the heart of downtown Montgomery, Fernland Historical park is a unique hands-on educational park, bringing samples of early Texas architecture together with examples of early Texas life. The log homes and cabins presented within the park are some of the oldest remaining structures within Texas.

The Arnold Simonton House is one of the oldest houses in Montgomery County. The Greek-revival structure was built in 1845 by Dr. E.J. Arnold. Dr. Arnold moved from Connecticut in the mid-1830s with his wife Rhoda Ann Warner. They settled in Montgomery where they lived in a log house until construction began on this one-story cottage. In 1977, the house was given to the Montgomery Historical Society, moved to a different place on the property, and became the Montgomery City Hall.

Now situated as the focal point within Fernland Historical Park, the white house with its dentil trim features a pair of rooms on either side of an enclosed central hall. The rooms share interior double fireplaces, reflecting a Connecticut influence.

The Arnold-Simonton home was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1964 and entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Fernland Park

The Arnold-Simonton Home - Historical Marker - National Registry

The Arnold-Simonton Home

Gus was definitely nosing around here - sniffing out all the history of our little town. When I was about to walk off and give up hope I was given the next riddle and it has something to do with a buffalo? I have never seen a buffalo in Montgomery but let's see where Gus has ventured off to now!

Addison Gandy House

Climbing a fence 
With a gun
Can give you a hole
And not much fun.


Answer:  Addison Gandy House

The Addison Gandy House is located at 104 Prairie and was build in 1892 for John Britton and Martha Davis Addison.  This house was built by Robert and John Martin using pine and cypress lumber.  It served once as a hotel from 1905 to 1925.  The home was given to the Montgomery Historical Society in 1997 by the Gandy family (descendants of the Addison family).

The legend goes that John & Martha's son, John Bowe Addison, went rabbit hunting one day and while climbing through a barbed wire fence, he accidentally shot himself in the abdomen.  He hurried home and the doctor was called.  The doctor laid John Bowe on the kitchen table and began removing his intestines in order to remove the bullet.  The intestines were placed in a large meat platter which is on display in the house today.  John Bowe Addison lived to be 84 and was considered to be one of Montgomery's miracles.

Front Porch of the Addison-Gandy House

Information Marker in front of Addison-Gandy House

The Addison-Gandy House

 How ironic! I ran into a man here at the Addison-Gandy House.  He told me a rabbit just ran across the yard and there went Gus!  Always chasing something!!  Let's follow him and see where he goes!  We've almost caught up with him now!!!  I have riddle to where he might have ran off to!

Montgomery Community Center

Find the center our hometown
Many markers can be found
be persistent, time will tell
Or you could end up in jail
Also, there's a goat with a pail
Visit him by the well.


Answer:  Montgomery Community Center, Old Montgomery Community Well, Time Capsule, and Montgomery County Jail

The Community Center is actually the center of Old Montgomery  The Community Center is where the Town of Montgomery site marker is located and stated it's foundation in 1837 by W.W. Sheppard.  It remained the county seat until 1889.

The Old Montgomery Community Well is located within the Community Center.  This was the city well and used by people within the town.  A statue of a goat is located by the old well in remembrance of a goat showed up in 1906 to the town center for handouts of food and drinks.  The goat would stand by the well or on top of the well door waiting for someone to draw water so he could have a drink.  No one knew who the goat belonged to, what his name was, or how long he stayed in Montgomery.

A time capsule was buried at the Community Center on April 25, 1987 by the West Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Montgomery.  It is said to be opened on April 25, 2037.  I hope to be around to see the capsule opened!!

The Montgomery County Jail is located on the same property as the Montgomery Community Center.  It was operated from 1855 to 1889.  The jail was used for keeping a drunken person until they had sobered up.  The jail was built by Pauly Jail Company in St. Louis, Missouri.  The cells were in a one room building that sat next to the courthouse.

Marker in front of the Montgomery Community Center

Time Capsule at the Montgomery Community Center

In the Old Jail!!

Texas Historical Marker at the Old Jail

The Town Goat at the Water Well!

Gus liked this place I bet!  Lots of places to run and play!  While I was there i caught a glimpse of black but he's still on the move - While i was running towards this place the lady hosting a Wreck-It-Ralph party for her daughter  and I have the next riddle on where we might find him!  Off we go!!

First State Bank

Most people believed their money was safe
Until 1929
After that the Great Depression
Was not that far behind.


Answer:  First State Bank of Montgomery

The First State Bank of Montgomery is located at 211 Liberty and is one of the first banks in Texas.  The bank was chartered in December 1906 and began operating in another building.  The building was completed in 1908 and remains the oldest existing commercial building in this area.

It was the town's only bank and served the cotton farmers in the area.  The safe was stolen once and the vault still has scars from the robbery.  The bank crashed financially during the Great Depression and fell victim to a voluntary liquidation in 1934.  It offered usual bank provision but also provided insurance.  The bank is now the home of Retreat Hill Winery.

The First State Bank Building

Well....we just missed him again! They rebuilt this bank to a winery! I saw some drops of wine leading outside, so I think Gus got a little wild.  I hope Gus is having as much fun as I am learning all about Montgomery!  The employees inside gave me  another riddle - let's go!!

Dr Charles B. Stewart / N.H. Davis Museum

Find the History signed by Lamar
It is red, white, and blue and has a star
Explain to us why it is signed upside down
Name the local man and President who made history for this small town.


Answer:  Dr. Charles B. Stewart / N.H. Davis Museum

The local man's name is Dr. Charles B. Stewart.  Per request by Mirabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas, Dr. Stewart created the Lone Star Flag.  The original drawing was approved by President Lamar and is signed upside down because Dr. Stewart pushed the upright drawing across the table to him.  President Lamar signed the drawing as presented to him with Dr. Stewart not realizing the drawing was presented to President Lamar upside down from his perspective.

The Lone Star Flag was officially approved in 1839 after approval by Congress.  On May 30, 1997, the House of Representatives of the 75th Teas Legislature officially commemorated Montgomery County as the Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag.  The town of Montgomery has been famous for the Texas Flag.

Original Drawing of the Lone Star Flag - signed upside down

Gus was here - but now he's not! He must have thought this place wasn't pretty cool. There wasn't a lot of running around to do. But I did receive the next riddle!  Let's see where this one will take us!

Davis Cottage

The museum is the clue you gave us
The man who lived there was named Davis
He rendered service and logs he was paid
From that payment his house was made
Two babies are buried near his homestead
Search for the resting place of these young dead.

Answer:  The Davis Cottage

The Davis Cottage is located at 308 Liberty Street and was once the home of Nathaniel Hart Davis and his wife, Sarah E. White.  It was originally built in 1851 from a log house that was received in payment as a legal fee.  A kitchen area was added in 1880.  The south wing was later built in 1895.  It now serves as the Chamber of Commerce Office and the N.H. Davis Museum after it was given to the Montgomery Historical Society by the Davis Heirs in 1984.

In the front yard of the Davis cottage are the grave markers of their two children. We don't know much about them, but they could have been victims of one of the yellow fever epidemics that affected Montgomery. Their actual graves are located next door in the vacant lot to the south.

Next door to the Davis Cottage is the Davis Law office which served as the Davis Home until 1851.  This building served as a school ran by Texanna Snow, a post office, and a law office.

The Davis Cottage

Historical Marker at the Davis Cottage

The Original Logs - left exposed

Graves of the 2 Davis Children

Gus must have liked this place! But he must had been sad to see the graves of the two children. We were getting thirsty and hungry from all this commotion so when we went to eat at Mc. Donalds (yes I know fatty food! lol) the lady inside gave me the next clue. See my next blog post for a riddle on where Gus traveled next!!

The Olde Schoolhouse

Not so many years ago
Schools were black and white
Find the Dobbin landmark
Moved to its new site.


Answer:  The Olde Schoolhouse

The Olde School House served as the Dobbin Elementary School for Black children and was located in Dobbin, Texas.  We don't know how old the building is, but it was probably built in the 1920's.  Used up to 1965 until government regulation shut it down. 30 years later in 1995, it was moved to Montgomery and restored by Bill and Candice Witzig.  The Olde Schoolhouse was cut into two sections in order to be moved.  More than half of the 18 large windows had to be rebuilt.  Some interesting features of the building are the raised stage area and the closet-sized library.

According to story, "Dobbin" and the school were originally named "Bobbin".  The railroad misspelled the town sign and "Bobbin" changed its name to "Dobbin".  Former students come in and remember what it was like to go to school there.  Today, it is a popular antique and gift shop owned by John "Cotton" and Bea Rouse since August of 2006.  This building is an approved Texas historical site.

The Olde Schoolhouse

While Gus was here he must of made some friends here at the Olde School House! But looks like he is again one step ahead of us!! The sweet lady inside said she would give us a riddle if we bought 1 little antique from her store, then she gave us the next riddle! Here we go to our next destination!!