History

Porter is located in Montgomery County, Texas. The town is located on land that once belonged to the Orcoquiza Tribe of Native Americans. When the Spanish began moving through the region the Atascosito Road was established just to the south of the town. This brought growth to the area and eventually the displacement of the native tribes.

The earliest settlement in the county was just north of Porter in New Caney. This took place on Caney Creek in the early 1860’s. The Houston, East and West Texas Railroad came through the area in the 1870’s it brought new settlers with it. One of these settlers was James Porter who built a sawmill in the town. By the end of the 19th century, the community had a post office.

The region saw lots of expansion in the early 1900’s because of the booming lumber industry. The expansion of multiple railroads into the area provided a market for the lumber industry. The Great Depression had a significant impact on the lumber industry however. This downturn fortunately did not last long, because in the 1930’s oil was discovered in the area. This discovery gave way to an oil boom that fueled massive growth in the Houston area and eventually led to the formation of the Houston – The Woodlands – Sugar Land Metropolitan Area. Porter sits within this thriving metropolis and its growth has been closely tied to it.

Today

Despite the massive growth in the region, the town has remained relatively small throughout the years in comparison to other neighboring communities. It is still an unincorporated community with a population of about 26,000 people. The town is located perfectly within the metropolitan area. Residents have easy access to three of the region’s major cities, Houston, The Woodlands, and Conroe. It is definitely possible to live in the community and work in any one of these surrounding cities.

Things to do

There are several opportunities to be outdoors in the wilderness around the town. One of the best spots is Lake Houston, which lies just to the southeast. Lake Houston is a very popular place in the region for boating, swimming, and fishing. The lake is home to several fish species, which attract anglers from all over. It is also home to the Lake Houston Wilderness Park, which is a great place for hiking and camping.

The community is just a short drive from Houston, which is one of the country’s largest cities. This means that within a few minutes drive, residents can find nearly anything that they are looking for. This makes Porter a great place to live for those who want to live outside of a major city but still have access to all of the city’s attractions and amenities.

A few of the things to do in Houston include sporting events and live performances. Houston is home to four professional sports teams, the Texans, the Astros, the Rockets, and the Dynamo. The city is also known for its rodeo. In addition to sports, Houston is great place to find amazing restaurants and shopping opportunities.