Montgomery

What to Know About Montgomery

The birthplace of the Lone Star Flag, with a historic downtown to match.

Montgomery is one of the oldest towns in Texas, chartered in 1837 and home to Dr. Charles B. Stewart, the local resident credited with designing the Lone Star Flag adopted in 1839. Its historic downtown still carries that history, with homes dating to the town's 1850s building boom, antique shops, boutiques, and tasting rooms set along quiet streets. Just east of town, the western shore of Lake Conroe adds waterfront restaurants, resort amenities, and an easygoing lake lifestyle, giving Montgomery two distinct sides.

Montgomery at a Glance

• Location: Western Montgomery County, west of Lake Conroe, with lake-area communities nearby

• History: Chartered in 1837 and recognized by the Texas Legislature as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag

• Downtown: Historic homes, antique shops, boutiques, galleries, and wine tasting rooms

• Character: Historic, quaint, and unhurried, with lake living close by

• Schools: Served by Montgomery ISD

What Are the Best Things to Do in Montgomery?

Montgomery splits its time between history and the water, with a downtown made for slow afternoons and Lake Conroe close by for everything else.

Best Entertainment Spots in Montgomery

• N.H. Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum: The local history museum where a copy of Dr. Stewart's original Lone Star Flag drawing, signed by Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar, is on display.

• Fernland Historical Park: A heritage village near downtown with restored frontier log cabins and the Arnold-Simonton House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Margaritaville Lake Resort: A lake-area outing east of town, with a resort on 186 waterfront acres, the Jolly Mon Water Park, a full-service spa, and an 18-hole golf course.

• The original town well: A downtown landmark tied to the local story of Monty the Goat, a beloved regular who once wandered the streets collecting handouts from restaurant back doors.

Best Recurring Events in Montgomery

• Christmas in Historic Montgomery: A December day of festivities downtown, with a Christmas parade, holiday vendors, and a candlelight tour of historic homes.

• Montgomery Antique & Unique Festival: A three-day festival in the historic district filled with antiques, vintage finds, and one-of-a-kind pieces.

• Montgomery Quilt Walk: A two-day stroll through downtown with quilt displays and demonstrations from local quilters.

• Texas Flag Day Celebration: Montgomery's annual salute to its place in Texas history, with a red, white, and blue reception downtown.

• Lone Star 1st Saturday: A free monthly market of handmade and homegrown goods under the oaks at the Old Community Center on Liberty Street.

Outdoor Activities Locals Love in Montgomery

• Lake Conroe: A short drive east for boating, fishing, and waterskiing on more than 20,000 acres of open water.

• Lake Conroe Beach Park: A day-use beach on Highway 105 with kayak rentals and reservable pavilions and cabanas, with admission by park pass.

• Longview Greens Mini Golf: An 18-hole, Texas-themed mini golf course on Clepper Drive.

Where to Shop in Montgomery

• The Rancher's Daughter: A downtown boutique and wine bar selling clothing, jewelry, home goods, and local art alongside an extensive list of Texas wines.

• Montgomery's Lone Star Art Gallery: A downtown gallery that hosts exhibits and community gatherings, including receptions during the town's Texas Flag Day celebration.

• Historic district antiques: Antique shops and boutiques scattered through the historic downtown, best explored on foot.

What Are the Best Restaurants in Montgomery?

Dining in Montgomery centers on its historic downtown, from serious Texas barbecue to wine bars, with lakeside restaurants a short drive east.

Local Eats and Fine Dining in Montgomery

• Bar-A-BBQ: A barbecue joint in a small old house downtown whose pitmaster has earned a place on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ list.

• Fajita Jacks Tex-Mex Grill & Cantina: A lake-area favorite east of town, with signature fajitas and margaritas on an oversized patio overlooking Lake Conroe.

• Cozy Grape Wine Bar & Bistro: A downtown wine bar and bistro on Liberty Street, offering a varied food menu and an extensive wine selection.

Top Spots to Grab a Drink in Montgomery

• Whitley Vineyards Wine Bar: A family-owned downtown wine bar on College Street, pouring wines made from Texas and California grapes.

• H Wines: A tasting room with an outdoor patio in a historic bank building in old downtown, from a winery founded by two Frenchmen.

• Papa's on the Lake: A lake-area bar east of town, reachable by car or boat, with live bands on summer weekends and sand volleyball.

• Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail: A regional collection of wineries offering self-guided tasting passport events in spring and fall, with visits during participating wineries' regular hours.

FAQs

Why is Montgomery a good place to live?

Montgomery offers a rare combination: a historic small-town downtown with deep Texas roots and quick access to Lake Conroe's western shore. Residents get a quieter pace, with antique shops, wine bars, and long-running community traditions, plus lakefront dining and recreation close by.

What is Montgomery best known for?

Montgomery is best known as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag, credited to local resident Dr. Charles B. Stewart, and for its historic downtown, one of the oldest in Texas. It's also known for its proximity to Lake Conroe and the lake-area resort and restaurants just east of town.

What is the housing market like in Montgomery?

Montgomery's housing ranges from historic homes near downtown to established neighborhoods, golf course communities, acreage, and, in the broader Montgomery area, waterfront homes near Lake Conroe. Values vary widely by location, with lakefront properties and larger tracts generally at the top of the market.

Moving to Montgomery?

Our team's office is on Highway 105 in the Montgomery area, and we'd love to help you find your place in and around this historic town. Our team can help you compare local communities, understand your options, and prepare for your next purchase or sale. Reach out to us and let's talk.