Mcrp.org
Title
Montgomery County Texas Republican Party
Description
In any political campaign, a headquarters site can be a big asset. It signifies campaign visibility and credibility while serving as a center for volunteer and paid employee activity. For the fledging Republican Party in Montgomery County during the 1960s, a paid employee was no more than a pipe dream. Besides there was always the question whether there was even adequate funds to maintain a temporary site during the campaign
In 1962 campaign for Governor, the first temporary headquarters was located on North Main Street across from the Crighton Theater. It was called the Montgomery County Conservatives Headquarters because Republican was thought to be a disadvantage. During the 1964 presidential campaign a Goldwater for President Headquarters was located on the second floor of a building on the north side of the square above what was then Cochran's Man Shop. Today the Courthouse annex is located next to this building. A large Goldwater sign was hung from the roof making it highly visible from anywhere on the square.
Following the 1964 election, the County Executive Committee concluded a full time Republican Headquarters was needed to establish the Party's credibility and compete with the Democrat Headquarters, known as the County Courthouse. It was not at all unusual to see Democrat signs posted in the offices of the Courthouse during the election campaigns. Norman Imler, Precinct # 10 Chairman and owner of the State Hotel at 306 Collins Street in Conroe, offered to let the Party use a room adjacent to the lobby as a Party Headquarters. In 1965 a full time County Republican Headquarters was officially opened. A sign was hung from the awning over the door after much delay because a painter could not be found who would paint such a sign. Today, that same sign hangs reminder of the tenacity and dedication of those brave enough to call themselves Republican during the 1960s.
