Conroe Fire of 1911

On February 21, 1911 around 1:30 in the morning, a fire broke out in the Capitol Drug Store on Chambers (today North Main) Street. The blaze was well underway before it was discovered and northerly winds began sweeping the flames southeastward toward the railroad tracks. The volunteer fire department had only one hose cart which was pulled by hand to fight the inferno and the lack of water pressure led to the fight being called off. The post office, meat market, saloon, grocery store and Masonic lodge were among the businesses caught in the path of the fire as well as the homes of their owners who lived above their stores. Sixty-five buildings, store inventories and personal belongings were lost that early February morning, costing an estimated total of $150,000, over 3.5 million dollars in today's money. The following business day, the city council created an ordinance requiring buildings to have "fire proof" materials protecting the wooden structures. A year later, the city council voted to amend the ordinance to require buildings to be constructed out of brick and stone. The 1911 fire in downtown Conroe and the prompt response to its destruction by Conroe residents reflected the resilience of Texans as they settled, struggled and prospered in southeast Texas. Despite the tragedy caused by the fire, the resurrection of stately brick business buildings provides current city visitors with a picture of a bygone era with buildings over a century in age. It further echoes the town's nickname, "The town that faith built!" (2013)

Conroe Fire of 1911 is a historical marker in Conroe, Montgomery County, dedicated in 2013. It is one of 67 historical markers documented in Montgomery County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 165 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.3117, -95.4572 near Conroe. The nearest cataloged historic site is Montgomery County Courthouses (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Conroe Telephone Exchange, Conroe, and Conroe, Isaac.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507017662. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.