Photos by Ruben Borjas Jr
On Friday, February 28th, Billy Ray Duncan was bombarded with a group of folk at his usual Whataburger Coffee Group in Montgomery. To his surprise, greeting
him were members of the Montgomery History Society of which he is the
long-time president, plus numerous other friends and associates. Also
present, courtesy of Ted Spacey, husband of the late Pat Spacey. were
two Texas Flags, with signatures of descendants of the flag’s creator,
the honorable Dr. Charles Stewart, once a citizen of Montgomery.
Eventually, however, Billy Ray became aware that he, himself, was the
guest of honor for a special occasion.
That occasion marked the hometown celebration of his award a few
months earlier from the Montgomery County Historical Commission
centered in Conroe. This was the Harley Gandy Distinguished Service
Award, the highest honor that society bestows. The award reflects
one’s promotion of the great wonders of our marvelous Montgomery
County in the context of its grand history. The chair of that
Historical Commission, Larry Foerster, was at the ceremony in
Montgomery.
Joyous, then, was the celebrated event, as Billy Ray’s great record of
service to the Montgomery History Society, the town, and the county of
Montgomery received review. For starters, let it be noted that just
his service as president of the Society stretches for nearly 20 years!
On a local level, the Montgomery History Society is the essential
caretaker of many of the city’s historic structures such as the
Simonton Museum, the epicenter of the historic Fernland. A few other
structures under his society’s care include the Old Baptist Church,
post office and drug store, along with the historic Addison-Gandy
House. However, of the sites under review, perhaps the most
historically significant is the Nat Hart Davis Museum off main (Pine)
street. Nat Hart Davis was a famous District Judge in Montgomery when
that community was “kingpin” of the region.
Grand then, was Montgomery’s link to a region stretching from the
Brazos to the Trinity Rivers, west to east, and from Spring Creek
north to the San Antonio Road, now essentially Hi-way 21. During most
of the era of the Republic of Texas, 1836-1846, that whole area
comprised the original Montgomery County, of which the community of
Montgomery was the county seat. A few years ago, Billy Ray’s
Montgomery History Society braved the risk of hosting an event
celebrating that era and including representatives from the whole
region! Deeply appreciated was the superb and indispensable Society
support and encouragement to this writer as principal promoter of that
event.
Such is a sample of the heavy responsibilities and risks surrounding
Billy Duncan’s role as chair of the Montgomery History Society.
Well-deserved is his latest award and recognition!
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