The other day I was checking on a home for a client who had moved out of state. As I was leaving, I noticed a yellowed newspaper that had been left behind. I was very intrigued when I saw it was a complete December 2, 1954 edition of The Conroe Courier. I’ve always enjoyed learning about our local history. I find it interesting and I feel it makes me a better ambassador for Montgomery County during my real estate activities. So I just had to read through it before I put it into a safe place for my client.
It was fascinating contrasting the news and ads of 1954 with today’s news. A front page article about women soon being allowed to serve on juries in Texas highlighted how much things have changed. Other front page articles were not that different from current articles, e.g. a road expansion, school bond election, and a shooting. But much of the paper was filled with personal information such as hospital admissions, births, vehicle transfers, and lots of tidbits about local residents’ comings and goings. I suppose to some extent, that level of personal info is still published today, but instead of calling the newspaper, folks just send a Tweet!
There were lots of ads in this issue. Let’s see, Ipana toothpaste is on sale for $.53 at Thompson Food Market, Flaxman’s has a 16 oz. jar of Foreman’s Picallilli for $.33, and Penney’s has 60 gauge sheer nylon hose with slim dark seams for $.50 a pair. For entertainment we have Julius Caesar playing at the Crighton and at the Hi-Y Drive-in Theater, Ronald Reagan stars in Prisoner of War.
But being a Realtor, the most interesting to me were the real estate ads. There were 4 real estate firms with ads, none of which are still in business today. Many of the homes were described by number of rooms rather than by square footage. Some of the features mentioned in the ads were venetian blinds, in-laid linoleum, a chicken coup and a hog proof fence. But the most unusual ad by today’s standards was for an 8 room rustic log and asbestos house adjoining the Country Club.
Yes, things really have changed in the last 57 years. And I would guess that few communities have changed as much as Montgomery County because of its explosive growth. We’re almost 20 times as large as we were in 1954. The construction of I-45 and Lake Conroe probably had the most impact. I-45 made Houston much more accessible and made Conroe attractive as a commuter town. The Woodlands along with other communities along I-45 sprouted up to meet the increased demand for housing. And Lake Conroe provided another alternative for those who enjoy the many amenities of lakeside living.
All of this growth has caused the local real estate industry to change as well. First of all, there are a lot more than a handful of Realtors these days, so it has become a much more competitive market. And with so many options available, Realtors have had to become well versed in the variety of housing options, including golf course homes, waterfront homes, estate communities, planned communities, condominium complexes, to name just a few. We also have to be adept in working with the many different types of buyers, including second home buyers, retirees, investors, first-time home buyers, up-sizers and down-sizers. In my own practice, I have had increased requests from current and soon-to-be retirees from all over, wanting to live in Montgomery County because of its natural beauty, temperate climate, proximity to great health care, affordability, and its many amenities.
Montgomery County has a great history and a great future. Much credit is deserved by those involved in the preservation of that history. Our beautiful downtown Conroe and the recent restoration of the Conroe Country Club are just a few examples of how history has been honored while meeting today’s needs. It is truly a joy and privilege to be a Realtor in Montgomery County. Now if my ancestors would have had the foresight in 1954 to purchase the advertised “43 acres near Hwy 105, 12 miles west of Conroe, nice home and lake site, ½ minerals for $3,800”, I would feel even more privileged!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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