George W Strake Miracle Worker
by Robin Montgomery
Conroe is known as the “MiracleCity.” Should one have been around its environs in the nineteen twenties and early thirties one would wonder, “Why?” At that time, reflective of the national scene during the Great Depression, in Conroe pessimism reined. The once booming timber industry was evidencing a steep decline, forcing the closure of many mills. In 1930, Conroe’s only bank failed, generating financial doldrums across the land. Conroe’s schools struggled to complete their terms.
However, by 1933, the Conroe area was evidencing a precipitous rise in its fortunes. The Conroe school district became one of the State’s wealthiest and for a brief time Conroe claimed more millionaires per capita than any other town in the United States.
What gave rise to such phenomenal change almost literally overnight? The answer: one man, named George W. Strake. George Strake knew what he was about and he never gave up, never allowed circumstances to get
the best of him. Strake was born in St. Louis in 1894. Upon graduating from St. Louis University in 1917, he served in the US Army Corps of Engineers in World War I. Upon completing his tour of duty, he amassed a small fortune in Mexico then immediately lost it in Cuba.
George Strake, however, was not deterred. He proceeded to set up a base of operations inHouston from where he leased some 8,500 acres of land southeast of Conroe. Everything seemingly was working against him: many dry holes followed and the experts opined that no oil was to be found in the area. Meanwhile, a respectable oil field was under development west of Conroe. Only Strake had faith in the east.
So what did George W. Strake do? He hocked his belongings and continued his quest. Finally he met success. Did he ever! On June 5, 1932 he struck black gold at 5,026 feet. Quickly, the resultant Conroe Oil Field became the third largest in the United States. Thus did the boom town of Conroe receive the appellation of the “Miracle City”.
George Strake did not forget from whence came his strength. He was a strong Christian man of the Catholic faith. Among his honors, much too numerous to list in this venue, were two of the Vatican’s highest for a layman—the Order of Sylvester and the Order of Malta. In 1937, Strake represented the governor and the state of Texasat the United States presidential inauguration. Part of Strake’s great legacy is Camp Strake, among the nation’s premier scout camps.
On June 5, 1957, the twenty-fifth anniversary of his great oil strike, Conroehonored its benefactor. Governor Price Daniel issued a proclamation designating this George Strake Day in MontgomeryCounty. On August 6, 1969 this progenitor of the MiracleCity went to meet the God he revered.
Conroe is known as the “MiracleCity.” Should one have been around its environs in the nineteen twenties and early thirties one would wonder, “Why?” At that time, reflective of the national scene during the Great Depression, in Conroe pessimism reined. The once booming timber industry was evidencing a steep decline, forcing the closure of many mills. In 1930, Conroe’s only bank failed, generating financial doldrums across the land. Conroe’s schools struggled to complete their terms.
However, by 1933, the Conroe area was evidencing a precipitous rise in its fortunes. The Conroe school district became one of the State’s wealthiest and for a brief time Conroe claimed more millionaires per capita than any other town in the United States.
What gave rise to such phenomenal change almost literally overnight? The answer: one man, named George W. Strake. George Strake knew what he was about and he never gave up, never allowed circumstances to get
the best of him. Strake was born in St. Louis in 1894. Upon graduating from St. Louis University in 1917, he served in the US Army Corps of Engineers in World War I. Upon completing his tour of duty, he amassed a small fortune in Mexico then immediately lost it in Cuba.
George Strake, however, was not deterred. He proceeded to set up a base of operations inHouston from where he leased some 8,500 acres of land southeast of Conroe. Everything seemingly was working against him: many dry holes followed and the experts opined that no oil was to be found in the area. Meanwhile, a respectable oil field was under development west of Conroe. Only Strake had faith in the east.
So what did George W. Strake do? He hocked his belongings and continued his quest. Finally he met success. Did he ever! On June 5, 1932 he struck black gold at 5,026 feet. Quickly, the resultant Conroe Oil Field became the third largest in the United States. Thus did the boom town of Conroe receive the appellation of the “Miracle City”.
George Strake did not forget from whence came his strength. He was a strong Christian man of the Catholic faith. Among his honors, much too numerous to list in this venue, were two of the Vatican’s highest for a layman—the Order of Sylvester and the Order of Malta. In 1937, Strake represented the governor and the state of Texasat the United States presidential inauguration. Part of Strake’s great legacy is Camp Strake, among the nation’s premier scout camps.
On June 5, 1957, the twenty-fifth anniversary of his great oil strike, Conroehonored its benefactor. Governor Price Daniel issued a proclamation designating this George Strake Day in MontgomeryCounty. On August 6, 1969 this progenitor of the MiracleCity went to meet the God he revered.