cities and towns; land surveys, land companies, promotional towns
Marker Year
1970
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
No
Marker Location
Private Property
No
Marker Condition
In Situ
Marker Size
18" x 28"
Marker Text
Founded in 1870. Named for P. J. and R. S. Willis (large land and timber owners who formerly were merchants in area). They gave townsite, on the Houston & Great Northern Railroad. With the line came prosperity, and in 1874 Willis and Montgomery vied for county seat, but both eventually lost to Conroe. Willis boasted a college, opera house, numerous stores; and by 1895 had vast tobacco fields supporting 7 cigar factories. This industry faded when tariff on Cuban tobacco was lifted. Present industries are timber and livestock.
