Christmas in Historic Montgomery

Historic Montgomery's annual Christmas celebration set for December 12 and 13, just north of Houston and barely west of Contoe; Hwy. 105 at FM 149. Lighted parade on the 12th, home tour, Cookie Walk, Arts/Crafts, Shopping on 13th.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: 8/28/03
Call Bea Rouse,     936/524-0534
Or Reba Laughter, 936/597-4899

26th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN HISTORIC MONTGOMERY
SLATED FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2003,
WITH EARLIER HOURS FOR THE COOKIE WALK

SCHEDULE:
Friday, December 12, 2003--
     Lighted Christmas Parade-Downtown
     Montgomery, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2003-
     12th Annual Cookie Walk (Cookies & Candies
     by the pound)-Bells of Montgomery (formerly
     Montgomery Methodist Church), 10:00 a.m. --
     3:00 p.m.
     26th Annual Historic Home Tour-3:00 -- 8 p.m.

   Christmas in Historic Montgomery was first held in 1978 with three homes open to the public. Again this year, more than a dozen beautifully decorated and lighted historic buildings will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the tour are $10 for adults and $3.00 for students. Hosts and hostesses don Victorian dress for the tour and Cookie Walk. Wassail warms your body and carolers warm your heart as you stroll the narrow streets of downtown Montgomery taking in the sights. Activities abound all day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds from the tour and Cookie Walk go toward the restoration and maintenance of the historic buildings owned by the Montgomery Historical Society.
   Visitors are cautioned to note the Cookie Walk will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., much earlier in the day than it has been in past years to allow for more time to enjoy each home on the tour.
   Montgomery, one of the oldest towns in Texas and the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag, is just north of Houston at the intersection of Highway 105 and F.M. 149-only 15 minutes west of Conroe. There are a myriad of activities in and around Montgomery and the Lake Conroe area-plan to spend the weekend. For accommodations information call 1/877/4-CONROE (426-6763). The oldest buildings on the Montgomery tour date back to 1845. Sam Houston spent the night in at least two of the homes on the tour during his travels between Huntsville and Washington on the Brazos.
   The festivities begin on Friday night with a lighted Christmas parade, complete with Santas arrival. The antique and gift stores will stay open that evening for Christmas shoppers.
There will be plenty of antique/gift/craft shops in town to help with Christmas shopping lists. When its time to take care of hunger, visitors can choose from many excellent restaurants. Most shops, restaurants, and historical buildings are within walking distance.
   The famous Cookie Walk, which was covered in the 1999 Southern Living magazine, is in its 12th year. The doors open at 10 a.m. to people waiting in line to be the first to choose from thousands of beautifully decorated cookies and candies on display. These confections are sold by the pound and are collected from the area residents. Persons donating a batch of cookies or candies to the Cookie Walk receive a free ticket to the home tour-for information regarding cookie donations, call the Bells of Montgomery 936/597-7205.
   The home tour begins at 3 p.m. and when darkness falls, folks follow the luminaries through the narrow streets of the oldest town in Montgomery County, celebrating its 166th year. For better and safer walking, bring a flashlight.
   We look forward to seeing you in Montgomery and thank you for supporting the Montgomery Historical Society and for visiting Historic Montgomery, Texas third oldest town. Area students, residents and civic groups join in to make this holiday event one to remember.

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY:

   Dr. Charles B. Stewart, Designer of the lone star flag, moved from Brazoria to Montgomery in 1838 where he lived until his death at the age of seventy-nine on July 28, 1885. He is buried in the New" Montgomery Cemetery, which was started in 1868 with the burial of outlaws that were shot by a posse.
   Dr. Stewarts contribution to the City of Montgomery, Montgomery County and Texas history is immense and diverse. He served in the volunteer army and acted as interpreter between Gen. Sam Houston and Santa Ana. When others at Washington on the Brazos were reluctant to place their signatures upon Texas Declaration of Independence, Dr. Stewart was the first to step forward and sign. He was the first Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas, and his design of the Texas Flag was adopted by President Mirabeau B. Lamar and the Republic of Texas in 1839. A copy of the original drawing hangs in the Nat H. Davis Pioneer Complex and Museum in Montgomery; the original of the drawing is in the State of Texas Archives.
   Todays State Seal is very close to a design Dr. Stewart derived from a mother-of-pearl button from his fathers coat brought over from England. He was a part of a Finance Committee assigned by the Provisional Government to go to New Orleans to raise funds to defend the area against Santa Ana. The committee decided an official seal would confirm authority and lend credibility to the fact that Texas was indeed an independent government. Thus, the first state seal was born.
   Owen and Margaret Montgomery Shannon, colonists with Stephen F. Austin, began operating a trading post between two Indian trails. And, in 1827, after the two trails merged, the town became known as Montgomery Prairie," and later simply Montgomery. Local historians feel the town was named for Margaret, whose nephew was General Montgomery, a Revolutionary War hero.
   By Act of Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837, Montgomery County was chartered as the third county in Texas, and Montgomery, booming with commerce and civic opportunities, became the county seat. Dr. Stewart served Montgomery County as District Attorney Pro-Tem, Notary Public and District Court Clerk. He was also Postmaster of the City of Montgomery. Dr. Stewarts accomplishments were also as a physician, a pharmacist, a scientist, and a horticulturist.
   Todays Montgomery residents enjoy dressing in costumes for home tours and other special events throughout the year. The variety of gift and antique shops and restaurants can make for a full fun-filled day and a taste of life in this small historic country. Each of Montgomery Independent School District schools, except the new Stewart Creek Elementary (no testing record yet) enjoy an exemplary" rating with the Texas Board of Education.