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Conroe Normal and Industrial College (1903–1981) was a private co-educational vocational school and normal school for African American students, founded in 1903 in Conroe, Texas, United States.[1] The school also went by the names Conroe Baptist Theological Institute,[2] and Conroe College.[3]
| Conroe Normal and Industrial College | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
10th Street, Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas, U.S. | |
| Coordinates | 30.318311°N 95.445788°W |
| Information | |
| Other name | Conroe College, Conroe Baptist Theological Institute |
| School type | Private vocational |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Baptist |
| Established | April 1903 |
| Founder | Jimmie Johnson |
| Closed | 1981 |
Conroe Normal and Industrial College was established in April 1903, by founding president Jimmie Johnson.[2] Johnson fundraised for the formation of the school through extensive travel within Texas and lecturing; he solicited for funds from black churches, black associations, and black conventions.[2]
Johnson and his wife were among the small number of early teachers at the school in the early years. David Abner Jr. took over as the second president.[2][4] William A. Johnson served as the third president.[2]
It was on 10th Street. Its five-story main building burned in 1915 and a new two-story building constructed for it.
The school had a lot of land, approximately 105 acres which was an active farm that students worked on tending livestock, growing crops, and indoor domestic work.[2][5] Boys and girls were taught at the school separately, and were required to wear uniforms.[2][5]
In the 1980s, the school was one of the organizational locations for the "Free Clarence Brandley" movement.[3]
In October 2014, the Conroe Baptist Theological Institute deeded the remaining 20-plus acre campus to a private investor.[2]
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UTSA Libraries has a 1947 photograph of Baptist ministers in front of the school.[8] TCU Libraries have a collection of photographs, interviews, and documents about the school.[9]
In 2017, Robin Navarro Montgomery and the Montgomery County Historical Commission were working on adding a state historical marker to the 10th Street location.[2] In 2021, plans were announced to restore the one remaining college building into a youth community center.[10]
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