Lone Star monument to be unveiled in Conroe
by Cody Tucker, published January 28, 2011 2:57 pm, ultimateconroe.com

The City of Conroe, Montgomery County and the Friends of the Flag Foundation Inc. will hold an unveiling and dedication ceremony for the new Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park.

This historical and educational park will feature 13 flags depicting battles, with a plaque telling the history of each battle flag. The centerpiece will be a 14-foot bronze sculpture of “The Texian,” which will show a veteran of the Texas Revolution flying a Lone Star flag. At the entrance will be a bronze bust of Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery, the man credited with designing the Texas Lone Star flag.

Included in the ceremony will be the raising of flags by country superstars Clint Black and Marty Stuart. Following the ceremony, there will be a free concert featuring county singer Gary P. Nunn and many more.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony on Thursday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m.

The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park is located at FM 2854 and I-45, on the east side of the freeway next to the Montgomery County Central Library.
http://ultimateconroe.com/stories/229960-lone-star-monument-to-be-unveiled-in-conroe

City officially begins work on monument, park
By Nancy Flake, Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:00 am | Updated: 9:04 pm, Sat Nov 20, 2010.

Already known by history buffs as the birthplace of the Texas flag, Montgomery County – and Conroe – is set to become a cornerstone in a historical “golden triangle” of state landmarks.

Members of the Conroe City Council, joined by officials from throughout the county, Huntsville and Washington-on-the-Brazos, put shovels to work Thursday morning for the groundbreaking of the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park. The site will be located on the Interstate 45 northbound feeder at West Davis Street, on 3.5 acres of land donated by Montgomery County.

City Administrator Paul Virgadamo Jr. said the monument and flag park, scheduled for completion in four to six months, will become part of a historical trail also comprising the General Sam Houston Museum and monument in Huntsville, historical monuments in the city of Montgomery, including the new Fernland Historical Park, and Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Sam Houston and other leaders of the Republic of Texas signed the documents declaring Texas’ independence from Mexico in 1836.

The flag park will feature a plaza with the 13 flags that have flown over Texas, while its centerpiece will be a bronze sculpture depicting a Texian soldier, created by Conroe sculptor Craig Campobella.

“It’s going to be appreciated for hundreds of years by many, many people,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said.

The landmark is costing the city about $385,000, including $57,000 for the cost of the Texian statue.

Huntsville City Councilman Mack Woodward, whose ancestors were among the first residents of the Republic of Texas, called the idea of tying together the historical sites “a great initiative.”

“‘Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision,’” said Woodward, quoting from a letter Sam Houston wrote after his first visit to Texas.

With flags flying over Conroe, said Janice Campbell, lead interpreter for Washington-on-the-Brazos, “We can’t help remember those people who made sacrifices and gave us the Texas we have today.”

In other council business:

Lake level study: The council approved a $15,000 pledge to the Lake Conroe Community Network for a Texas A&M University study on the impact of potentially lowered Lake Conroe levels on the county’s tax base
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/news/article_104d7830-f701-501d-83f1-278a4b22b5cf.html

City Announces Groundbreaking Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park

Submitted by The Editor on Thu, 06/24/2010 - 08:24

The City of Conroe is proud to announce a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park that will take place on Thursday, June 24, 2010 after the 9:30 a.m. city council meeting. The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park will be a tourist destination and an educational tool for students and historians. This park project started with a vision from the citizens of Conroe and employees of the city. This is a city/county cooperative project with Montgomery County having donated approximately 4 acres of land for this park.

This Texas historical park will become a source of local pride and inspiration for Montgomery County enhancing heritage tourism by being a point of destination for tourists. The park will be located at the intersection of I-45 and Hwy. 104 by the Montgomery County Library on the north side of the library.

A local artist, Craig Campobella, will create the life size bronze entitled The Texian. This bronze will hold the Lone Star Flag. This monument is designed to be a historically correct depiction of the common man that volunteered for the Texian Revolutionary Army and honors the fighting men of the war. There will also be a monument depicting Dr. Charles Stewart, relative to the Lone Star Flag.

By working together to bring this to a reality there is a sense of pride for the citizens, local artists, city and county officials and employees. Everyone is invited to attend this groundbreaking for the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park.
http://fatcatwebproductions.com/the_paper/630-city-announces-groundbreaking-lone-star-monument-and-historical-flag-park

Groundbreaking Ceremony
June 24,2010

Conroe flag park to highlight Texas Revolution
By BETH KUHLES CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
June 1, 2009, 9:40AM

Friends of the Flag ready for fundraising
by Kim Morgan, published May 28, 2010 9:21 am, ultimateconroe.com

Artist Craig Campobella, of Conroe, examines the drawings for the new flag park.

Conroe resident and sculptor Craig Campobella has a few months to go before his latest work of art will be ready for the foundry, but as he smooths his hands over the 14-foot tall form, there's no mistaking it's the shape of a male. Cast in bronze, the man is wearing a jacket with tails, a vest, boots, and a sash tied on the right hip - because Campobella is determined to be historically accurate. Every other army in the world tied their sashes on the left hip. He is the "Texian," and he represents the myriad of men who fought for independence during the Texas Revolution.

The Texian will be the focal point of the Lone Star Monument Historical Flag Park in Conroe, slated to open April 21, 2011, which is San Jacinto Day. "It will be like an outdoor museum," Campobella said. "When people walk through this park, they will get a capsule of history from Gonzales all the way to the designing of the Lone Star flag."

The Texian will be holding the Lone Star Flag, also cast in bronze, and behind him, on 35-foot flagpoles, will be 13 "important battle and rally flags" that flew over the state during the Texas Revolution. Campobella said the Texian stands proud and is looking to the horizon as if to say "Come and take it!" That is in fact of one of the 13 flags. The Gonzales flag of 1835 is thought to be the first flag of the Texas revolution.According to the flag park's Web site, it's claimed the phrase "come and take it" was the Texans' reply to a request to give up a cannon that had been borrowed from a Mexican garrison. There is also the pure red flag of the Alabama Red Rovers, said to be the banner of a company of volunteers from Alabama who aided Texan forces. Most of the Red Rovers were killed in the Goliad battle on March 27, 1836. Other flags include the Alamo 1824, one of the flags that flew at the Alamo for 13 days as a couple hundred Texans held off a Mexican army of thousands; and the San Jacinto Flag 1836, representing the 18-minute battle followed by the capture of Santa Anna. At the base of each pole will be a plaque describing the flag. At the entrance to the park will be a granite bust of Charles B. Stewart, who lived in Montgomery and created the Lone Star flag.

While the City of Conroe has agreed to pay for the construction of the park, it will be up to a nonprofit group called Friends of the Flag to pay for things like the replacement of frayed or discolored flags. "We will watch over those flags and make sure they stay in pristine condition," Campobella said. It can cost up to $3,000 to replace all 13, Campobella said, which is why he formed Friends of the Flag, the public awareness and fundraising arm of the Lone Star Monument Historical Flag Park. The flags will need to be replaced approximately every six months.
Kathleen Rowland is up for the task despite a sluggish economy. "The way our economy is today is not as important as having a long-term goal on how we will raise money," said Rowland, who lives in a Lake Conroe community. "We just have to find a tie-in to fundraisers that relate to what the project is. Rowland, a good friend of Campobella's, said she became a member of Friends of the Flag because Campobella's enthusiasm for the project was contagious. "I am not one of the knowledgeable ones, but I did start learning more about Texas history," Rowland said, "and now that's part of what keeps me interested." Bentwater resident Dave Clements is also giving his time as a member of Friends of the Flag. As a freelance photographer, Clements is documenting the entire process, capturing every significant moment that began with city council approval and will climax with the park's grand opening. "I like the idea of trying to nurture our community," Clements said. "This park will allow for generation after generation to learn about the history of Texas."

At a glance:
- Friends of the Flag was created to raise funds for the Lone Star Monument Historical Flag Park, slated to open April 2011.
- Quick Quote: "When people walk through the park, they will get a capsule of Texas history from Gonzales all the way to the designing of the Lone Star flag." Craig Campobella, founder of Friends of the Flag
- Flags of the Texas Revolution:
Coahuila y Tejas 1820-1830, flown by the DeWitt colonists to represents the two regions of Coahuila and Texas.
Alamo 1824 Flag 1835-1836, Texas Conservatives flag flown at The Alamo
1st Naval Flag of Texas 1836, significant because of the role of the Texas Navy in keep supply lines open during the Texas Revolution.
Flag of the Alabama Red Rovers, in recognition of a troop of Alabama volunteers who aided Texas in 1835 and were massacred at Goliad.
Flag Of The New Orleans Greys From The Alamo 1835, in honor of a small band of 100 volunteers from 12 states and six countries at The Alamo.
Gonzales Flag 1835 (Come & Take It), allegedly used at the Battle of Gonzalez
Sarah Dodson Flag 1835, first tri-color flag as Texas independence was declared in 1836
Johanna Troutman Flag 1836 (Liberty or Death), flown between the fall of the Alamo and victory at San Jacinto.
Dimmit's Goliad 1836, commemorating the first declaration of independence from Mexico.
San Jacinto Flag 1836, symbolizes the 18 minute battle and the capture of Santa Anna.
Lorenzo DeZavala's Flag 1836 (First Republic of Texas Flag), which is the Lone Star flag of the Republic of Texas.
Texas Second Republic 1836 (Burnet Flag), flown when Texas was sovereign and independent nation
Texas Third Republic 1839, the current state flag since 1845.
http://ultimateconroe.com/stories/2679-friends-of-the-flag-ready-for-fundraising

Conroe to build historic flag park
by Beth Kuhles, published May 6, 2010 12:41 pm, ultimateconroe.com

By early 2011, Conroe hopes to take its place in history with a park dedicated to the flags of the Texas Revolution.
The Conroe City Council approved a contract Thursday for the construction of the Lone Star Monument and Historical; Flag Park at Interstate 45 near Texas 105, which will serves as a beacon for the historical significance of Montgomery County and the area. Montgomery County is the birthplace of Texas' Lone Star flag.
This is a historic day for the council and the city of Conroe," declared Councilman Jay Ross Martin. With 250,000 cars that pass by daily, it could be the gift that keeps on giving...It's an example of something that council can do today to get a revenue stream and stimulus for the city for years to come."
The city hopes to link with Huntsville and Montgomery to provide a Texas Historic Trail through the area.
The park, which will be located on land next to the Montgomery County Central Library at 104 Interstate 45, will include a life-sized bronze statue of The Texian, representing the common man that volunteered for the Texas army, as well as the 13 flags flown during the Texas Revolution.
The contract to build the park was awarded to Fairweather Group for $385,355. A contract was previously awarded to local sculpture Craig Campobello for $57, 475 to design the Texian. The park also will include a bust of Charles B. Stewart, a Montgomery doctor credited with designing the Lone Star flag.
Up to $500,000 was set aside for the construction of the park in the city's capital improvement budget, proceeds from a $6 million land sale to the Conroe Industrial Development Council for the expansion of Conroe Park North. Half of the funds were earmarked for new park development. The city also received $25,000 from the Houston Galveston Area Council toward development of the park.
City Administrator Paul Virgadamo said it is expected to take six to eight months to complete the park
Councilwoman Marsha Porter initially balked at approving the contract, citing lagging sales tax revenues, but voted for the proposal after learning the money was earmarked from the land sale. Councilman Jim Gentry also expressed reservations about the funding in these tough economic times, but he also was included in the unanimous approval for the project.
Councilman Toby Powell said the park with be a big boom for education in the area.
Hopefully, it will help the children and teaching them on field trips about the historical relevance of the flags," Powell said. They can see it with their own eyes."
Land for the new park was donated by Montgomery County, which gave the city three years to develop the project or the tract would revert back to the county.
CONROE FLAG PARK
Conroe is building a park to commemorate the flag flown during the Texas Revolution. To learn more about the project, visit wwww.texasflagpark.org. The flags in the park will be those flown during the Texas Revolution, as it became a sovereign nation. Among the flags represented will be:
Coahuila y Tejas 1820-1830, flown by the DeWitt colonists to represents the two regions of Coahuila and Texas.
Alamo 1824 Flag 1835-1836, Texas Conservatives flag flown at The Alamo
1st Naval Flag of Texas 1836, significant because of the role of the Texas Navy in keep supply lines open during the Texas Revolution.
Flag of the Alabama Red Rovers, in recognition of a troop of Alabama volunteers who aided Texas in 1835 and were massacred at Goliad.
Flag Of The New Orleans Greys From The Alamo 1835, in honor of a small band of 100 volunteers from 12 states and six countries at The Alamo.
Gonzales Flag 1835 (Come & Take It), allegedly used at the Battle of Gonzalez
Sarah Dodson Flag 1835, first tri-color flag as Texas independence was declared in 1836
Johanna Troutman Flag 1836 (Liberty or Death), flown between the fall of the Alamo and victory at San Jacinto.
Dimmit's Goliad 1836, commemorating the first declaration of independence from Mexico.
San Jacinto Flag 1836, symbolizes the 18 minute battle and the capture of Santa Anna.
Lorenzo DeZavala's Flag 1836 (First Republic of Texas Flag), which is the Lone Star flag of the Republic of Texas.
Texas Second Republic 1836 (Burnet Flag), flown when Texas was sovereign and independent nation
Texas Third Republic 1839, the current state flag since 1845.
http://ultimateconroe.com/stories/2394-conroe-to-build-historic-flag-park

Statue planned for proposed Conroe park
by Beth Kuhles, published December 16, 2009 10:17 am, ultimateconroe.com

Conroe has commissioned a bronze statue of The Texian, the centerpiece of a proposed Texas Flag Park on the Interstate 45 feeder road, as a show of good faith to attract federal dollars for highway beautification.
The Conroe City Council approved $57,000 to Craig Campobella to design the statue representing the common man that volunteered for the Texas Army.
The park, located adjacent to the Montgomery County Memorial Central Library, also would include 13 flags that flew during the Texas Revolution and touts the county as the birthplace of the Texas flag.
The casting of the statue is expected to take a year.
It is going to be a major intersection for the county and a focal point," said Conroe Mayor Webb Melder. It will show the commitment of the city to the federal government to be able to get transportation funding for the project.(Texas) 105 and (Interstate) 45 may be the finest intersection between Houston and Dallas."
In addition to providing funds for the Texas Flag Park and a nearby detention pond, Conroe is seeking federal funds to landscape five miles of the Interstate 45 corridor through the heart of the city from Loop 336 South to FM 3083.
Conroe has earmarked about $500,000 toward the construction of the flag park and the money could be used as matching funds for future road projects, said Lynn Spencer, senior association of
The Goodman Corp., which is aiding the city in the application process. The funding was part of $6 million from the sale of land for the expansion of Conroe Park North that is earmarked for downtown improvement and new parks in the city.
It shows that the city is committed to the project," Spencer said.
The Texian statue will be a larger-the-life bronze carrying a Texas flag, which will stand two stories tall. Campobella describes the army soldier as rugged, strong, determined and inspirational" on his Web site.
The 13 flags include Coahuila y Tejas (1820-1830); Alamo 1824 Flag (1835-36); First Naval Flag of Texas (1836); Flag of the Alabama Red Rovers; Flag of the New Orleans Greys from the Alamo (1835); Gonzales Flag "Come and Take It" (1835); Sarah Dodson Flag (1835); Johanna Troutman Flag Liberty or Death"(1836); Dimmit's Goliad (1836); San Jacinto Flag (1836); Lorenzo DeZavala's Flag First Republic of Texas" (1836); Texas Second Republic Burnet Flag" (1836); and Texas Third Republic Flag The Lone Star Flag" (1839)
Montgomery County recently donated the land to Conroe for the park and the Central Library would serve as the temporary headquarters for the new monument. It's expected to become a tourist destination, similar to the Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville.
"The hope is that this display will serve as an educational tool for the citizens of Texas, become a source of local pride and inspiration to Montgomery County and enhance heritage tourism by being a point of destination for the great number of tourists that pass through this area daily," Assistant City Administrator Paul Virgadamo Jr. said in a memo to the city council.
http://ultimateconroe.com/stories/490-statue-planned-for-proposed-conroe-park

Like the giant statue of Sam Houston in Huntsville, Conroe hopes to develop a flag park on the Interstate 45 feeder road to lure tourists to Montgomery County, the birthplace of the Texas flag.

The Texas Flag Park, which will be developed adjacent to the Conroe Branch of the Montgomery County Memorial Library System, will include the 13 flags flown during the Texas Revolution. The centerpiece of the park will be a life-sized bronze statue called “The Texian,” representing the common man that volunteered for the Texans army.

Montgomery County recently donated the land to Conroe for the park. The council approved $65,600 for the design of the new facility, and it commissioned local sculptor Craig Campobella for $57,475 to design “The Texian,” contingent upon the council funding the actual park.

“The hope is that this display will serve as an educational tool for the citizens of Texas, become a source of local pride and inspiration to Montgomery County and enhance heritage tourism by being a point of destination for the great number of tourists that pass through this area daily,” said Assistant City Administrator Paul Virgadamo Jr. in a memo to the city council.

About $500,000 has been earmarked for the development of the park, a portion of the $6 million sale of land to the Conroe Industrial Development Council to expand Conroe Park North. Half of the funds are being dedicated to new parks, while the other half will be used for downtown development.

The proposed flag park would fly the 13 flags of the Texas Revolution, commemorating key battles or troops that fought to the state’s independence. Among them are flag designs that flew at the battles of the Alamo, Bexar, Goliad and San Jacinto. The final flag design is the Lone Star flag, which was created by Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery and is still used today.

The park also will include a granite bust of Stewart at the entrance to the park. Each flag will have a plaque describing the flag and its role towards Texas Independence.

The development of the park is expected to take a year. The council debated the timing of the contracts Wednesday because of the overall cost of the park is not known. The design contracts is expected to identify costs within about three months, but the contract for the statue was awarded because it is expected to take a year to build.

“I’m in favor of it and I support it,” said Mayor Webb Melder. “We’re in favor of the entire project and the money has been set aside. In fairness to concerns expressed by council members, the statue will be contingent upon the final approval of park plans and costs.”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/conroe/news/6450661.html

Honoring Texas History: Proposed park looking for a Conroe home
By Brad Meyer, Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 12:00 am | Updated: 7:24 pm, Sun Nov 21, 2010.

Organizers behind a proposed historical park in Conroe to honor Texas history are launching a campaign to make their vision a reality - if they can find a site to build it.

When completed, the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park will feature a life-size bronze sculpture of a Texian - the term applied to residents when Texas was independent - and a collection of more than a dozen historical flags that flew over Texas before it became a state.

"Montgomery County is the birthplace of the Texas flag," said John Homman, president of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, an organization supporting efforts to create the park. "We want to create a unique park that will serve to honor and educate residents and visitors about Texas history."

The concept for the park was developed by Craig Campobella, an award-winning sculptor from Conroe. Many of his artistic creations have featured historical figures from Texas' multi-cultural past.

"Texas is the only state that was an independent nation at one time," Campobella said. "The history and culture of our area are inspirational factors that attract tourists from around the world, and we want to provide a place to showcase that history."

Finding a suitable location, however, is a challenge for the coalition of groups hoping to sponsor the park. A wooded area at the southeast corner of Interstate 45 and Texas 105 was originally targeted, but has since been identified by the Texas Department of Transportation as the site of a future drainage project for the thoroughfare's expansion through Conroe.

"We're looking at other locations along I-45 and talking to city officials to try and determine an appropriate location," added Homman. "We're confident we'll be able to move forward on this."

Homman estimates the cost of construction for the park as it is currently designed will be approximately $250,000. If the group has to pay for land, the price tag will be considerably higher.

Also supporting the proposed park project is the Friends of Conroe, a civic group that supports the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival and other tourism-related efforts. Homman hopes more community-minded organizations will get involved with the project.

"It's a great educational and tourism project," he said. "We want it to honor our heritage and serve as an inspiration to both visitors and residents."
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/archives/article_dfcc9e85-01d9-5ba7-befe-247fbea03ca0.html

Lone Star monument to be unveiled in Conroeby Cody Tucker, published January 28, 2011 2:57 pm, ultimateconroe.com

City Announces Groundbreaking Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park

Statue planned for proposed Conroe parkby Beth Kuhles, published December 16, 2009 10:17 am, ultimateconroe.com

Honoring Texas History: Proposed park looking for a Conroe homeBy Brad Meyer, Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 12:00 am | Updated: 7:24 pm, Sun Nov 21, 2010.

Lone Star monument to be unveiled in Conroe
by Cody Tucker, published January 28, 2011 2:57 pm, ultimateconroe.com

Statue planned for proposed Conroe park
by Beth Kuhles, published December 16, 2009 10:17 am, ultimateconroe.com

Honoring Texas History: Proposed park looking for a Conroe home
By Brad Meyer, Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 12:00 am | Updated: 7:24 pm, Sun Nov 21, 2010.