Owen Theatre Building Has Served City
of Conroe in a Number of Ways
by Brad Meyer

Around 1951, Gertie Spencer, first on the left, recalled her father, a Conroe auto dealership owner, getting in a beautiful red Buick convertible. She talked him in to letting her gather her friends and drive around the city.

Note: Automobile dealerships in small towns during the Great Depression and post-World War II period were usually small with no more than one or two cars in their inventory. Louie Weisinger’s main business came from selling and servicing GMC trucks because in Montgomery County during this time there were numerous sawmills where logging and pulpwood trucks were needed. The dealership would often finance these trucks. - Larry Foerster, Chairman

Before it was constructed, the site was occupied by a two-story wood and metal structure the housed the operation of the Weisinger Pontiac/GMC dealership operated by Louie M. Weisinger. His family owned a large ranch west of Conroe on land in the Ryals community that today includes the April Sound subdivision on Lake Conroe.

“The dealership and offices were on the first floor,” said Gertie Weisinger Spencer, daughter of Louie Weisinger. “There were living quarters on the second floor for the wrecker driver and another employee.”

In the 1930s when the building was constructed, Conroe was a working town, heavy into the oil and logging industries. Much of the business was focused on trucks and repair services.

After World War II, the decision was made to replace the frame building with sleeker, more modern structure. John Weisinger, Gertie’s younger brother who was 8 or 9 at the time, says it was his idea to feature rounded corners on the building, constructed out of glass blocks.

“My mother drew the plans for the building,” said Gertie. “John may think he came up with the idea, but I’m not so sure about that.”

In the 40s, small town automobile dealers had a limited number of vehicles on display – as few as two or three – as most people ordered their vehicles for later deliver. Gertie recalled getting her license at the age of 14 to help pick up or deliver vehicles.

“I would drive as far as El Campo to help deliver a vehicle,” she said. “It was a different time back then in terms of the amount of traffic and crime.”

Gertie recalled Bell Madeley asking her father to sell a limousine she owned – the only limo in Conroe at the time. Her older brother Louis piled a bunch of his friends in the vehicle and took off for Houston – getting a speeding ticket along the way.

“Bubba (Louis) got in some big trouble over that one,” laughed Gertie.

Around 1951, Gertie recalled her father getting in a beautiful red Buick convertible. She talked him in to letting her gather her friends and drive around the city.

“It was a really big deal and we wanted all of our friends to see us in that car,” said Gertie. “That’s a wonderful memory.”

Following a stroke that incapacitated Louie Weisinger, the building was sold and became the Mabry Firestone Dealer store. Later, in the 70s, the space served as White’s Auto Store.

This building is currently the Owen Theatre in downtown Conroe. In this picture, circa 1976 it served as White’s Auto Store

In the 80s, the building was purchased by Montgomery County for official business. It served as the courtroom for Judge Mason Martin, County Court at Law No. 3 which shared the space with the County Elections Administrator Linda Garner. Eventually, Judge Martin’s court moved to a new space in the County Courthouse Annex on West Davis Street.

The old Elections Central building prior to its renovation into the Owen Theatre. The Owen Theatre opened in the fall of 2008 to serve as the home of The Players Theatre Company (formerly the Crighton Players.)

The building then became Election Central – housing offices, storing election-related equipment and periodically serving voters as a polling location. The city of Conroe purchased the building and with the help of civic leaders who conducted an extensive fundraising effort, the structure was converted into a 250 seat theatre. In 2008, building was completed and in a dedication ceremony was named for civic leader Rigby Owen Jr. and his wife Lucinda for their service to the arts in Conroe and Montgomery County.

Today the building is known to residents as the Owen Theatre – presenting theatrical performances and live entertainment in Conroe.

“I think mother and daddy would be very pleased with the evolution of the building,” said John Weisinger. “It’s a structure that has been in Conroe for a long time – they’d be very proud. I know I am.”

For information on Conroe and Montgomery County history, visit www.heritagemuseum.us or call 936-539-6873.