Design by DivTag Weebly Templates
Texas Center for Regional Studies
  • Home
    • Sam Houston Cradle of Texas Tour
  • Montgomery
  • Histories
    • Cradle of Texas Road >
      • Past Events >
        • Texas Legacy Fest >
          • Photo Album
          • Artists
          • Scholars
          • Sponsorships
          • Media Info
          • Vendor Info
          • Volunteer Info
    • Roy Harris
    • A. Hispanic Impact in the Trans-Brazos >
      • Hispanics in Trans-Brazos
      • Cinco de Mayo
    • B. Folklore >
      • Wild Man of the Woods
      • The Imposter of the Alamo
      • Rattlesnakes, Indians, and a Texas Preacher
      • “Wildcat” Baptist Preacher
    • C. The First Peoples >
      • The Bidai, Tribe of Intrigue. Who were they, Really?
      • Prehistoric Montgomery County
      • Bellisle & the Orcoquisac
      • Texas Legacy
    • D. Era of Exploration >
      • The Bidai and the Blue Nun
      • La Salle and the Fickle Gulf Currents
      • Pedro Vial, Trailblazer Extraordinary
    • E. Early Settlers >
      • Caleb Wallace: The last of Stephen Austin’s “Old Three Hundred”
      • Birth of Brazos County
      • Burleson County
      • Twice Named Walker County
      • Texas Ranger Samuel H. Walker
      • The Fort Parker Massacre and Montgomery County
      • Harvey Mitchell- Father of Brazos County and Texas A&M
    • F. War and Politics >
      • J.G.W. Pierson: Unsung Hero of Early Texas
      • Jesse Grimes: A Patriarch of Two Counties
      • Dr. David Dickson: Lt. Governor, from Anderson
      • Fate and a Flag (Sarah Dodson)
      • Dr. Charles B. Stewart & the Texas Lone Star Flag
      • Charles Bellinger Stewart's notable progeny
      • The Continuing Saga of the Lone Star Flag
    • G. Legacy of the Civil War >
      • Dance Brothers Pistols
      • Confederate Brigadier General General James Barnes
      • Millican’s Civil War Legacy
      • Shootout in Anderson, 1900
      • Walker County and Reconstruction
    • H. Stories of Entrepreneurship >
      • The Mysterious Engine that Began Navasota Industry
      • George W Strake Miracle Worker
      • Delta Land and Timber Company
      • The Railroad that a Spirit made
    • I. Distinctive sub-cultures >
      • Roots of Conroe Normal and Industrial College
      • The Implacable Wends of Lee County
      • Frank Hamer: Navasota’s answer to Wild Bill Hickok
      • Frank Hamer, Border Wars and the Sacredness of the Law
      • Farms, Hogs and the Conroe Oil Boom
      • A True Tale of Old Cut’n Shoot
      • Naming of Cut’n Shoot
    • J. Rise and Fall of Key Towns >
      • Stories from Washington, Lee, and Montgomery Counties
    • K. Noted Contemporaries >
      • Roy Harris, World Class Boxing Legend
      • Joe Corley: Hall of Fame Sheriff
      • Harley Gandy’s Timeless Legacy
      • Albert Mattern: From School Days of Yore to a living Legend
      • Scott and White Clinic System: The Conroe Connection
    • L. Oral History and Reminiscence >
      • Retreat, Texas Stage Coach Stop
    • M. Historical Sites >
      • Texas Spirit
  • Cemeteries
    • Martin Byrd Lawrence & the Lawrence Cemetery
    • The Story of Two Cemeteries
    • The Dunham-Wood Cemetery
    • Camp Family Cemetery
    • Childre Cemetery ~ White
    • Old Washington Cemetery near Washington-on-the-Brazos
    • Civil War Cemetery
    • Farquhar Cemetery, Washington County
    • The Reverends Ruter, Wesson & Spencer in Navasota Oakland Cemetery
    • Stephenson-Harris Cemetery
    • Historic Fanthorp Family Cemetery- Anderson, Texas
  • About Us
    • Texas Center for Regional Studies Green Star
    • Photo Album
    • Book Store
    • Calendar

 Roots of Conroe Normal and Industrial College

 by Robin Montgomery

            Given the rising polarization in our country along racial and other lines we can gain perspective and inspiration from the noble efforts of a pioneer of Old Conroe, Dr. Jimmie Johnson. Dr. Johnson made his move in Conroe at a time when the country was attempting to recover from the highly divisive era of Post-Civil War Reconstruction. It was in 1903 when this great African-American visionary brought into existence Conroe Normal and Industrial College. An example of his reach and vision may be gleaned from an article published in the Palestine Daily Herald on April 1st, 1905 under the title, “A Worthy Institution”.

            The article states that J.R. Rayner, a representative of Conroe Normal and Industrial College, was in Palestine, Texas soliciting funds for the educational institution.  The funds were to “help erect a hall of Faithfulness on the campus.”   The faithfulness referenced was of African-American slaves to the American dream, even during the Civil War. Students were to “secure their peace and material prosperity” through bringing to fruition that long-cherished dream of a common culture of prosperity. 

            The reporter of the Palestine paper opined that “With this lesson well learned, and put into practice, there would be no race question to disturb the south.” The reporter also noted that “The Conroe school has already attracted the attention of our best and most thoughtful people, not only in the state, but throughout the country.” 

            Quoting J.R. Rayner, the article categorizes as follows the lessons for students of Conroe Normal and Industrial College:  “The science and art of politeness. [Obedience] to law and respect for public sentiment. How to resist temptation and be virtuous. . . . Idleness is sin—all labor is honorable. . . . A good character is the greatest wealth. . . .Christianity means love and service.”

            The Conroe College put these goals into practice. For instance, all were expected to work, boys mainly in the fields tending livestock and growing vegetables, while the young ladies worked inside.  Formal attire was the order of the classroom, including coat and tie for the males.

            From Dr. Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chaney, through the tenure of Drs. David Abner, William Johnson and the Reverend J.S. Curry, the college thrived, meeting its goals until the latter 20th century. As stated in a precious edition of this column, a golden bell still gracing the front lawn of the now deserted campus is “reflective of the golden past which marks the spirit and adventure that was Conroe Normal and Industrial College.”

Thank you.


Design by DivTag Weebly Templates