Welcome to the Visit Conroe Texas GeoTour.
Download and print your GeoTour passport and don't forget to get the code letter in each cache, complete the passport, and turn in for a commemorative coin. You may also pickup a copy of the passport at the Visit Conroe office address listed below.
Whatever time of year brings you to the area, there are numerous activities to enjoy. Get your
Visit Conroe Visitors Guide here.
Now for the Cache:
Art you can sit on.
History you can reflect on.
This is a fourteen stage multi cache that will cover approximately 1/2 mile walking distance and take you between 30-60 minutes from start to finish. During this walking tour of the Conroe Downtown district, you will have the opportunity to see thirteen beautiful concrete art benches that were completed in 2009 to encourage tourism and to celebrate the local artist as well as enjoy the rich history of Conroe.
These benches show the historical significance of the Conroe railroad system, lumber industry, oil boom, county fair, airport, local theaters, and the impact of the Conroe Art League. Downtown Conroe is a very attractive historical area where you can enjoy great local restaurants, shops, taverns, music, parks and local art. Please take your time and enjoy the local business as you complete this cache.
To determine the final coordinates, you will need to find information at each stage. You can begin this cache at any stage, wherever you find convenient parking, and plan your route so that you end back at your parking location. After the walking bench tour, you may wish to drive to the final. However, the final is probably within 5 blocks depending upon your parking location.
Once you have visited each bench, the final coordinates can be determined by substituting the answer you determine at each stage into the following:
N 30 A.BCD
W095 EF.GHI
A. George Strake (Posted Coordinates)
George Strake struck oil in Conroe in December 1931 and later became one of the wealthiest oil men and philanthropist in Houston. He was a partner with his father in the GW Strake Company Petroleum Holdings. This bench was designed and painted by Joe Kolb.
Question A: On top of the bench is the date of December 13 , 1931 .
A = (last two digits of the year) minus (day in December)
Note: A is a two digit number
You can validate your answer for "A" with certitude.
B. Dr. Charles B. Stewart
Dr. Charles B. Stewart served as the first Secretary of the State of Texas, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, designed the original Lone Star Flag, and represented Montgomery County in the first, fourth, and fourteenth legislatures. Dr. Stewart spoke fluent Spanish and was one of the translators between Gen. Sam Houston and Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. This bench was laser etched by Mark Clapham.
Question B: Count the number of stars around the base of this bench.
B = (number of stars) multiplied by 2
You can validate your answer for "B" with certitude.
C. Boogie Bench
C. Boogie Bench is a tribute to local music history in Conroe. Many professional musical performances contribute annually through the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society and the Sounds of Texas Music Series. This bench is designed by Graig Campobella in glass and ceramic tiles.
Question C: How many gold square tiles are on top of this bench?
C = number of gold square tiles
You can validate your answer to "C" with certitude.
D. History of Art
D. History of Art bench depicts art through the centuries—including cave paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, and the movies. This bench was designed and painted by Jerry Parker.
Question D: Two words are above Bugs Bunny. How many of the letter "T" do you find in these two words?
D = number of the letter "T" above Bugs Bunny
You can validate your answer for "D" with certitude.
E. Train Depot
E. Train Depot demonstrates the importance that commuter trains had in the development of Montgomery County. Conroe prospered the most in 1889 when commuter travel increased and brought economy to the developing town through the International and Great Northern Railroad. This bench was designed and painted by Jerry Parker.
Question E: Look for an access panel on the base of the bench.
E = number of cities' crests listed on the access panel
You can validate your answer for "E" with certitude.
F. Visual Arts-on Track
F. The Visual Arts-on Track honors the impact of the Art League in the community. This bench is created by artists of the Conroe Art League in ceramic, glass tiles and paint.
F = number of people depicted on this bench
You can validate your answer for "F" with certitude.
G. The Beat Goes On
G. The Crighton Theatre was built in 1934 and was donated to the Montgomery County citizens in the 1970’s who then helped fund and restore the building. It has become the centerpiece of Conroe and is still “The Crown Jewel of Montgomery County." This bench was created by Jerry Parker.
G = number of men depicted on this bench
You can validate your answer for "G" with certitude.
H. Crighton Players
H. The Creighton Players honors the original theatre group that was founded in 1967 to produce theatrical performances at the Historic Crighton Theatre. This bench was created by Lynn Peverill.
H = number of different theaters listed on top of this bench
You can validate your answer for "H" with certitude.
I. History in Brief
I. History in Brief celebrates Conroe’s earliest industrial businesses of lumber and oil. During the 1930’s Conroe had more millionaires per capita than any other US city. This bench was laser etched on top and sides and was painted by Joe Davenport.
Question I: Note the number of oil derricks and the number of trains on this bench.
I = (Number of oil derricks) minus (number of trains)
You can validate your answer for "I" with certitude.
J. World War II
J. World War II bench art is a tribute to the people who staffed the Conroe Naval Base, constructed by the Civil Aeronautics Authority, during World War II. Conroe’s oil fields were of strategic importance during World War II. This bench is a paint and clay creation by Lynn Peverill.
J = number of propellers
You can validate your answer for "J" with certitude.
Note: Not all airplanes have propellers.
K. Boomtown
K. Boomtown bench is a tribute to the lumber industry as well as Isaac Conroe who was the founder of Conroe. Isaac started the 1st lumber mill in Conroe in 1881 and with the lumber trade came new families, schools, churches as well as a post office to the prospering town.
K = number of cows on this bench
You can validate your answer for "K" with certitude.
L. County Fair
L. County Fair bench art highlights the annual Montgomery County Fair which typically runs the end of March through early April. It includes events like, BBQ Cook-off, Rodeo, Carnival, Senior Citizens Day, Cornhole Tournaments, and a Washer Pitching contest.
L = number of pigs next to the blue ribbon
You can validate your answer to "L" with certitude.
M. Airport
M. Airport the Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport is 1277 acres and has 2 concrete runways. Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport was constructed during World War II to serve as a military facility, but was converted in 1945 to be a predominately civilian airfield. The United States Army maintains a base at the airport, called the Conroe United States Army Reserve Center. The 1st Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment is stationed at the base. It currently has over 200 hangers, 300 aircrafts and a US Customs Inspection Station.
M= number of planes on this bench
You can validate your answer for "M" with certitude.
Note: Don't count any planes painted on the wall in front of the bench.
Redeem Completed Passport:
Please email a picture of your completed passport to visitconroegeotour@gmail.com to receive your Conroe Geocoin!
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