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Conroe’s J. L. Hicks
Building Celebrates
a Century of Service
By
Brad Meyer
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One of the oldest buildings in downtown Conroe is ready for a second
century of service to the community.
Modern Cleaners operated on the first floor
of the J. L Hicks building in the
40's and 50's
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Like many of the historical structures in the downtown area, the J. L.
Hicks building, located in the 100 block of Simonton Street, has been
home to a variety of businesses and professional services–evolving to
the needs of the community.
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“Most of the buildings in
the downtown area were constructed of wood and were destroyed in a major
fire in 1911,” said local historian Larry Foerster. “There is a notice
in the March 8, 1912 Conroe Courier stating that the Dranglon Business
College had opened in the new J. L. Hicks Building.”
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Dr. J. L. Hicks is believed
to be the first dentist to establish a permanent practice in Montgomery
County around 1902. He was also and astute businessman and civic leader
who would be active in community affairs for almost seven decades, until
his death in 1977.
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When the wooden structure
that housed his practice was destroyed, he constructed a new
3,000-square-foot building out of brick as mandated by a new ordinance
established by Conroe city officials. In keeping with the custom of many
doctors and lawyers, Dr. Hicks kept his practice on the second floor,
reserving the first floor for retail space.
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The Golden Rule Drug store
opened on the bottom floor, next to the then popular mercantile store
Mistrot and Bros.
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“It’s believed L. W. Allen
operated a meat market downstairs in the J. L. Hicks Building in the
1920s,” noted Foerster. “Allen was on Conroe City Council when city hall
was constructed of logs on the southeast corner of the courthouse square
in July of 1920.”
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Modern Cleaners operated
for many years on the first floor of the J. L. Hicks Building in the 40s
and 50s, during which time Hicks’ son Paul became a dentist and joined
his father’s practice.
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“They had two dental chairs
in one section of upstairs office,” recalled John Hicks, grandson of J.
L. Hicks. “There was a separate chair and waiting room for black people.
It was a different time back then.”
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John noted that right next
door to the J. L. Hicks Building was Tally’s Domino Parlor–a place that
was off-limits to him growing up.
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“We were strict Southern
Baptists,” he quipped. “I was not permitted to even think about going
inside there.”
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Modern Cleaners, owned by
Carl Hicks, did dry cleaning, alterations and made custom clothing. It
was successful in its early years, but eventually, the J. L. Hicks
building became vacant and fell into disrepair.
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In the mid-70s, the
building was purchased by the Crighton Foundation. When the Crighton
Theatre was renovated in the late 70s so too was the J. L. Hicks
building. It became a service, staging and support facility for the
Crighton Theatre.
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“It has served as a rehearsal
and storage facility for the Crighton Players at one time
and now for Stage Right (the resident theatrical troupe at
the Crighton Theatre),” said Jim Bingham, manager of the
Crighton Theatre for more than 20 years. “It’s a place for
performers to get ready before going on stage.”
In the mid-70s, the building was purchased by
the Crighton Foundation. When the Crighton Theatre was
renovated in the late 70s so too was the J. L. Hicks
building. It became a service, staging and support facility
for the Crighton Theatre.
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Working with an older
building is a challenge, said Bingham. Prior to 1960, two-by-four lumber
was two inches by four inches in dimension, but now it is 1 1/2 by 3
1/2.
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“It makes a difference when
you’re trying to upgrade the building or replace original wood in the
walls – nothing matches.”
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The same applies to
plumbing and electrical, although the structure has since been brought
up to modern building code. Workmen occasionally discover old wiring and
plumbing occasionally and work slows confirming whether it is still
active or not.
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“We’re getting ready to
expand the Crighton Theatre lobby in the near future on the other side
of the building,” said Bingham. “I imagine we’ll run into the same
issues there.”
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But in spite of being more
than 100 years old, the J. L. Hicks Building has a lot of life left in
it, said Bingham.
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“It was well constructed
back when buildings were built to last,” said Bingham. “The J. L. Hicks
building will be around for a long, long time.”
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Courier
September 9, 2012
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