At some point this summer’s extreme heat will subside and it will become bearable to be outside again.
When it does, cities across Montgomery County have cute and quaint shopping districts to explore and within those districts, several cities have signature murals that capture the spirit of the town.
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When you’re out and about this fall, check out these murals and take photos at one of these distinctive art pieces:
Downtown Conroe
There’s a hidden gem among downtown Conroe’s historic buildings and it’s a bright colorful surprise at the 202 Main venue.
The venue at Main and Metcalf streets expanded to add The Hideaway which runs along the back side of 202 Main and other businesses in that building.
As you head to the outside area notice a large Downtown Conroe mural on the wall to the right. The mural was painted by artist Catherine Stroud. Stroud grew up in The Woodlands and attended The John Cooper School.
On the Metcalf Street side of 202 Main, also see four large murals depicting four “Legends of Conroe History.”
The panels were created by artist Theresa Thornhill. The murals feature Mary McCoy, Conroe’s queen of the radio airwaves, Roy Harris, the famed Cut and Shoot boxer who in 1958 fought for the heavyweight title, Annette Gordon-Reed, the Pulitzer prize winner who grew up in Conroe and Colin Edwards, the professional motorcycle racer born in Conroe.
See 202 Main’s Facebook page for more on activities there. The venue is at 202 Main Street in downtown Conroe.
Downtown Willis
On the side of Blue Willow Coffee in downtown Willis, visitors to the coffee shop can take a photo with the “Life is Sweet in Willis” mural painted by Spring-based artist Rebecca Steele.
On the side of the building that faces FM 1097 there are large and small monarch butterfly wings. A lemon and the shape of Texas that has the words “Life is Sweet in Willis.”
As patrons of the coffee shop get their morning joe, visitors can often be found posing for a photo with the wings or with the Texas shape.
Steele also recently completed a large mural at Sam Houston Elementary near downtown Conroe.
Visit Blue Willow Coffee’s Facebook page for more. Blue Willow Coffee on the northwest corner of Texas 75 and FM 1097 in Willis.
Montgomery’s Historic District
On the side of Montgomery Original Snoballs’ they proudly display their love for the city with a “We Heart Montgomery” mural.
The vibrant mural with snoballs of all different colors also celebrates the city’s distinction as the “Birthplace of the Texas flag.” Montgomery resident Charle B. Stewart is credited with designing the state flag.
The mural is by Corey Beth Mullins who was born in Galveston.
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See the Montgomery Original Snoballs Facebook page for more.
East Montgomery County
The Food Zone – Grand Texas opened in May at 23020 Speed Street in New Caney. The concept uses 17 shipping containers to make 17 different restaurants at the food park with ample gathering space in the middle.
One of the vendors, Jesse’s Burgers and Shakes, has a mural dedicated to Houston’s sports teams, the Astros, Texans and Rockets.
The mural was created by Houston-based artist Franky Cardona who combines his two passions of sports and art.
Also see the firefighter helmet and skull at The Salty Helmet in The Food Zone.
See The Food Zone’s Facebook page for more.
The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, visit one of the largest murals in Texas on the side of a parking garage in Waterway Square.
In 2022, Howard Hughes Corporation commissioned contemporary artist Alex Katz to create a 35,000-square foot mural in Waterway Square to anchor a new, 2.3-acre outdoor community gathering space.
The mural has a floral theme with yellow and coral flowers.
The Woodlands has a variety of public murals including mosaics along The Woodlands Waterway and another sports-themed mural by Cardona at Market Street – The Woodlands.
See this link for more murals in The Woodlands.
