History

Willis is located in Montgomery County, Texas. It’s history dates back to the mid 19th century, when southern slaveholders began moving into the Texas Republic in an attempt to sway the state towards becoming a slave state in the union. The original residents moved up from a settlement called Danville. Many of the residents were large slaveholders. It is estimated that of the first 1,000 people to live in Willis, nearly 600 were slaves. The presence of these humans would play a significant role in the development of the community after the Civil War ended and they obtained their freedom.

Like most of this region of Texas, the railroad’s arrival in the 1870’s significantly impacted the region. When the residents of nearby Danville refused to let the Houston and Great Northern Railroad pass through, a few wise landholders in Willis donated land to the incoming railroad. This marked the official founding of the community and began the first boom in the town’s economy. The presence of the railroad brought in newcomers from all of the surrounding communities in order to take part in the economic gains associated with the railroad.

Also like most of this region of Texas, the economy of the region was strongly based on agriculture and lumber. The community set itself apart from the surrounding area agriculturally by growing Cuban tobacco. The Great Depression hit the agriculture and lumber industries hard. Like the surrounding area, the oil boom saved the town. During the 1930’s and 40’s the population grew and the economy began to prosper.

Today

The region surrounding the town is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the entire country. The boom that began in the 1930’s has never truly ended and as new industries pour into the Houston area, the surrounding towns continue to grow at exponential rates. The population of Willis today is just over 6,000 people. It’s location directly north of Houston, makes it an attractive place to live away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while still maintaining access to all that the city has to offer. The economy of the region is still primarily agriculture and lumber, but as the metropolitan region grows, retail, service, and manufacturing have begun to play a major role.

Things to do

One of the most popular things to do in the area is visit the Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Conroe. Both are located just a few miles north and west of the town. Both offer various outdoor activities. The National Forest is known for its beauty and nature trails. It is a great place for residents of Willis to take a walk and enjoy the nature of Southeastern Texas. Lake Conroe is a popular spot for boating, fishing, water sports, and swimming. In the hot, summer months in Texas, finding a spot to cool off by the water is very important. Lake Conroe serves as that spot for many of the residents. In addition to these two wonderful spots, the entire metropolitan area is located within driving distance of the town. This means that world-class restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues are at your fingertips at all times.