Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park Groundbreaking was held June 24, 2010 where the park will begin construction adjacent to the Montgomery County Memorial Library (I-45 in Conroe). The land was donated by Montgomery County for the park and was a city/county cooperative effort. The vision of making it The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park came from Craig Campobella and the "Friends of the Flag" with the creation of the statue known as "The Texian" and the added sculpture of Dr. Charles B. Stewart by Campobella.

The park will be educational and will help promote Texas history and tourism for all of Montgomery County - "Birthplace of the Texas Flag"and the surrounding area including the history of Conroe, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Shenandoah, Montgomery (Home of Charles B. Stewart when the Lone Star Flag was designed and the new Fernland Historical Park); as well as Huntsville (Home of General Sam Houston and the Sam Houston Memorial Museum) and Washington on the Brazos - "The Birthplace of Texas."

Those who brought greetings during the ceremonies were: Conroe Mayor Webb K. Melder; Judge Alan B. Sadler; Todd Stephens (Congressman Kevin Brady's office who presented an American Flag); Luine Hancock (Senator Robert Nichols Office); Huntsville Coucilman Mac Woodward; State Representative Brandon Creighton; Huntsville Mayor J. Turner; Montgomery Mayor Travis Mabry; Shenandoah Mayor Gary Watts; Shenandoah City Manager Gregg Smith; Janice Campbell (lead Interpreter for Washington on the Brazos); Nelda Luce Blair (The Woodlands Township); Willis City Manager Hector Forestier; Pat Spackey (Descendant of Texas Flag Designer Charles B. Stewart; President of the Judge Nathaniel Hart Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Publicity Chair of the Texas Heritage Society); and David Martin (President of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and a member of the Texas Heritage Society).

A special "thank you" was given to the "Friends of the Flag" committee: Jim Walker, Dave Clements, Joe Kolb, Kathleen Rowland, Karen Strong, Pat Spackey, and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and David Martin and John Homman and the Sons of the Republic of Texas; and local artist Craig Campobella. The ceremonies were planned by the City of Conroe which included: Paul Virgadamo, Jr. (City Administrator); Larry Calhoun (Downtown Manager); Mike Riggens, Lauren Arnold and Staff (Parks and Recreation); Norman McGuire, Arthur Buckner and Staff (Public Works); and Jana Patrick (Arts and Communications Coord./PIO & Administration).

The park is scheduled for completion and the dedication is planned for April 21, 2011.