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Conroe Normal & Industrial College
Advanced Education for African Americans
by Brad Meyer |
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Less than
40 years after the end of the Civil War, the city of Conroe
became home to educational facilities dedicated to enhancing the
lives of African Americans in a world still separated by a
racial divide.
The marquee of the Conroe Normal and Industrial
College sits unused on 10th Street in Conroe. While the property
has been unused for some time, the college was a flourishing
center of education for blacks in the area and throughout the
state in the early 1900s.
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In 1903 the Conroe
Normal & Industrial College, located off 10th Street, was
founded by Dr. Jimmie Johnson as an education institution to teach black
students during a time when segregation prevented integration in schools
and much of society.
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Staff photo by Ana Ramirez
The Conroe Normal and Industrial College sits unused on 10th
Street in Conroe.
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“Conroe was a much
different place at the turn of the century than it is now,” said
Montgomery County historian Larry Foerster. “The Conroe Normal &
Industrial College was a respected Christian institution that attracted
students fro throughout the state and across the country.” |
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The founding of the
school is especially remarkable considering the Conroe Independent
School District was established in 1892. Educational opportunities for
black residents were limited until Johnson was able to acquire seven
acres of land with support and donations from black churches and
organizations and contributions from community leaders – both black and
white – to construct Conroe Normal & Industrial College. Additional land
was acquired to increase the size of the facility to more than 100
acres. |
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Staff photo by Ana Ramirez
Lucille Bradley, who was a
second grade teacher for 30 years, sits in front of a window
last Friday morning at the River Plantation Country Club in
Conroe. Bradley was also raised on the ground and attended
Conroe College on 10th Street. "The rules were very strict, but
it was a wonderful school," said Bradley. She will be
celebrating her 100th Birthday on Nov. 16 [2013]
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Lucille Bradley,
who turns 100 on Nov. 16, was a foster child of the founder of Dr.
Johnson and attended the school. In a living history video recorded by
the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, Bradley recalled the school
provided education for black students beginning with elementary school. |
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“I started there
when I was 8 years old and continued through high school,” said Bradley.
“The rules were very strict, but it was a wonderful school." Girls wore
a blouse and black skirt; boys wore black suits. |
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“There was no
running water at the time so we had assigned times to go to the well and
draw water,” she recalled. “But boys and girls were never allowed to mix
at the well or in the cafeteria – they were very strict about that.” |
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Bradley recalled
walking to town and church on dirt roads back in the early 20s as they
had no access to cars or buses. When not in classes, students were
expected to work in and around to support Conroe Normal & Industrial
College – boys in agricultural jobs, girls in administrative services at
the school. |
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The original five-story
administration building at Conroe College. It burned down in
1913 and a two-story building was constructed in its place.
An administration
building and a dormitory for men were built. In 1913, the five-story
building was destroyed by fire. After the destruction of this building,
a two story building was erected which served as a chapel, dining room,
kitchen and one classroom. A laundry house was built as well. |
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Foerster pointed
out that life in America was vastly different back then. In 1904, the
population of Conroe was 1,109. Electricity was not available until 1906
– and then only on a limited basis to those that could afford it. |
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“The college opened
at least 14 years before Conroe opened its firs public school for black
children – the Mittie J. Campbell School,” said Foerster. “The school
would later become Booker T. Washington High School until
desegregation.” |
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Conroe native Rigby
Owen Jr. said that it is remarkable that Conroe was home to not one, but
two black colleges. In addition to Conroe Normal & Industrial College,
Royal College was established here in 1927 to provide educational
opportunities for black Americans. It was located on FM2854 near the
site now occupied by Yancy Concrete in Conroe. |
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Historian Dr. Robin
T. Montgomery speculated that Conroe was the right place at the right
time for these educational facilities to open and thrive. |
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He noted that Isaac
Conroe, the name sake of the town, was a former Union officer in the
Civil Was and that John Wahrenburger and Alfred Beck – important civic
and business leaders at the time – were supportive of helping the
African American community by providing vocational training. The
Christian values on which the schools were founded were highly popular
at the time as well. |
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An early photo of the Conroe
Industrial & Normal College Faculty and Staff.
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It was also a time
when Conroe had employment opportunities at area sawmills and later in
the oilfields. Conroe was developing a reputation outside its borders –
though the image was always favorable. There are some memories Bradley
said she prefers not to speak about. |
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Bradley said Conroe
was not highly regarded in the early days – a rough and tumble
environment that included racism and a lack of social refinement. But by
the time of integration, in the late 50s and early 60s, Conroe Adapted
much easier than anyone expected. |
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“But things have
changed so much,” said Bradley. “Conroe has become a wonderful community
where everyone gets along and cares about each other – black, white, or
brown, it makes no difference.” |
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The Conroe Normal &
Industrial College continued to offer educational opportunities, but
with public schools and desegregation, support for the institution began
to diminish. Enrollment began to slip in the 80s and regular classes
ended. |
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“The college was a
wonderful institution,” said Bradley. “It was an Important part of
Conroe history.” |
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Conroe Courier |
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November 10, 2013 |
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