A happy medium

There doesn’t seem to be anything remarkable about mid-sized cities. But no two towns are the same. Today’s case study is Conroe, Texas. We’ll begin by going downtown.

I know what you’re thinking — if you’ve seen one Texas city’s downtown area, you’ve seen them all. But I find each store-lined street has its own tales hidden behind the weathered facades.

An interesting landmark is the painted mural proudly declaring Montgomery County as the birthplace of the Texas Flag. The story is that Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart, a Montgomery pharmacist and more importantly, the first Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas, was appointed by the republic’s president to sketch a worthy flag design.

While no one seems to know from whom the beloved banner originated, House Resolution 1123, in 1997, declared Montgomery County the official birthplace of the flag. The way I figure it, if you’ve got it in writing from authority somewhere, that’s reason enough to boast.

The highlight of downtown Conroe, however, is clearly the Crighton Theatre on Main Street, built by oil tycoon and former mayor Harry M. Crighton to loosely resemble the Majestic Theatre in Houston. He notably had actor Pat O’Brien — who starred opposite film legends Marilyn Monroe and James Cagney — flown in for opening night in November 1935.

Unfortunately, when the novelty of the theatre’s coveted air conditioning wore off, Americans eagerly flocked to drive-in and wide screen theatres. After decades of vacancy, a group of performing arts enthusiasts renovated the Crighton to its original grandeur and popularity.

The theatre welcomes audiences several times a year for community productions such as this summer’s rendition of the musical “Annie.” It has even received The Houston Chronicle’s “Ultimate Venue-Outside the Loop” award.

“They’ve been through several years of work and renovation to return the downtown area to its previous charm,” said Sean Haughey, senior accounting major.

Every Saturday, rain or shine, downtown comes alive with the weekly morning market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can stock up on fresh produce, admire vendors’ crafts and artwork, all while imagining a simpler, slower time. You’d almost think Atticus Finch could stroll right out of the county courthouse.

As you return to reality, you’ll probably realize you’re hungry. Luckily, Vernon’s Kuntry Barbecue on West Davis Street offers a wide selection of satisfying meals from brisket
to tamales.

“It’s not all about the food,” said Price Peyton, resident of Conroe and student at the University of Texas. “It’s all about the atmosphere. I like that when you walk in, they recognize faces and know your name and what you’re going to order. They’re just real friendly people.”

After lunch, I suggest escaping the hottest part of the day at The Woodlands Mall. I know it’s not exactly in Conroe, but let me share a little analogy with you: Bryan is to College Station as Conroe is to The Woodlands. Or something like that. At any rate, we all know that Post Oak isn’t exactly the Mall of America. Neither is The Woodlands, but they do have an Apple Store, Banana Republic and others with less fruit-themed names.

When your wallet and your nerves seem to indicate it’s a good time to escape the hordes of preteen mall rats and middle-aged shopaholics, meet up with some friends at the peaceful, wooded McDade Park, home to an 18-hole disc golf course.

“It’s good to go mid-afternoon with three or four bros and just spend a couple of hours playing disc golf,” said Ryan Haughey, sophomore aerospace engineering major. “It’s free to play at most parks; you just have to buy the discs.”

As it turns out, Conroe offers plenty to do and see without being overwhelming. It offers the dining and shopping opportunities of a city, with the tranquility and hospitality that make Southern small towns so charming. There’s a lake and a shopping mall. There’s down-home barbecue and a Cheesecake Factory within a comfortable driving distance. It really is the best of both worlds.