McDade Magnolia Tree Recognized as Historic

CONROE, TX -- The old magnolia tree that stands as a local landmark at the entrance to McDade Estates, just off FM 2854 in Conroe, has stood the test of time. Having survived nearly two hundred years of hurricanes, tornadoes, heavy thunderstorms, a lost limb, floods, rough winters, droughts, original SH 105 planners, the Carter Administration, and hundreds of neighborhood kids that used it for climbing adventures. The old tree has now been recognized by the The Texas Historic Tree Coalition as historic, denoting lots of hard effort by many over the decades to preserve the tree for going on 134 years. In a ceremony held this past Thursday, current and former residents of McDade Estates, expressed their memories of the old magnolia, and to those protectors who did their duty in overseeing the well being of the tree from original owner, James McDade. Then to his daughter Lillie McDade O’Grady (whose 132 birthday was celebrated September 12th), who then took the torch, and passed it on to Steve Kasmiersky, Sr, who developed the McDade Estates subdivision in the late 1960s and opened it up in 1971.

The magnolia tree once provided shade to the modest cabin of James McDade, who in 1891, assumed ownership of the land, using the fields behind his house to grow cotton. At the time, the tree was noted as being at least 50 years of age, and well established. The tree is located near the site of the old rusty bridge on FM 2854, where Bonnie and Clyde would visit his cousin Dude Barrow. The relative was an upstanding citizen of Conroe, which is why the Barrow Gang never robbed any banks in the area. The last visit of Bonnie and Clyde to the bridge happened several weeks before the couple met their end in Gibsland, Louisiana in May 1934.

The Conroe magnolia is the first tree in Montgomery County to be recognized by the Texas Historic Tree Coalition, receiving a historical marker from the group. Over the years, the protection of the tree after James McDade passed away in 1932, fell to his feisty daughter Lillie, who when SH 105 (now FM 2854) surveyors eyed the tree for destruction she was visibly angered. When Steve Kasmiersky, Sr. began preparing the property for McDade Estates, he and Ms. Lille were the first two lot owners in the development, and he continued to oversee the tree’s protective status. Kasmiersky’s idea for the magnolia to play a part between the entrance and exit to the property was brilliant, and the subdivision continues to thrive some 53 years after it first opened. Ms. Lille died in 1992, just one year shy of her 100th birthday. Now the McDade Estates Homeowners Association is responsible for the care and upkeep of the tree.

“My Dad took great pains to protect the old magnolia,” said Steve Kasmiersky Jr. “I remember helping him cut the roads for the entrance around the tree, as well as the streets to the property.”

The original McDade property occupied both sides of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, and when the neighborhood was opened, the land which now encompasses McDade Park was donated to the City of Conroe.

McDade Estates resident Christine Lazenby played a crucial role in getting the recognition of the tree project rolling. Her children once climbed the treasured tree when they were younger, and represent the third generation of her family to have lived in the neighborhood. They continue to play their part by decorating the tree during federal holidays with flags and bunting, and during the Christmas season.

“My husband Connor remembers as a child climbing to the top of the tree and sticking his head out,” said Lazenby. “He cherishes that memory.”

Larry Forester, President of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, and a 30 year former resident of McDade Estates, spoke about his memories of the tree and what it meant to him and his wife, and kids. Forester still visits the old neighborhood, to check on the tree's progress and visit with old neighbors. He is fond of the memories of McDade and the friendships made over the years, as well as activities associated with the old magnolia.

“When I was on the board of the McDade Estates Homeowners Association, we acquired property on both sides of the tree.” Forester said. “The idea was to preserve the beautiful scenery around the tree as residents and visitors enter the subdivision.”

Forester has written several books on Montgomery County history, and specifically Conroe. He relayed the story of James McDade’s daughter, Lillie O’Grady, who resided on the property after the death of her father. When surveyors had the idea of cutting the original SH 105 next to the old Santa Fe railroad, that crossed the old Bonnie and Clyde bridge, it is said that Ms. Lillie stood in front of the tree with a shotgun forcing the intended diversion of the road to the south with the current road cut.

Ron Saikowski, a wine columnist and tree preservationist, was inspired by Larry Forester to pursue a state historic designation for the McDade magnolia. Saikowski was instrumental in gathering all the documentation providing for the tree's provenance to the Texas Historic Tree Coalition for review.

“The McDade magnolia is a state historic tree worthy to be saved,” said Saikowski. “Lille’s dedication to the tree serves as a symbol of its future preservation, so that it may be enjoyed by future generations, and makes it difficult for future highway efforts to take out the tree.”

Marion Lineberry of the Texas Historic Tree Coalition, was on hand to officially dedicate the McDade magnolia, and unveiled the new marker denoting the tree's history. The THTC, originally started in 1995 protecting Dallas trees, then grew to a statewide organization ten years ago promoting and protecting the preservation of trees. It’s an all-volunteer group that seeks to educate individuals and groups about the proper stewardship of trees, and their value as a natural resource.

Lineberry and his colleagues at the THTC reviewed all the records submitted by Ron Saikowski, proving its history and the previous protection efforts to ensure the safety and upkeep of the old magnolia. Mr. Lineberry read a tree coalition proclamation and presented a certificate to the McDade Estates Homeowners Association noting its official historic status.

Former McDade resident Ron Liston lived in the subdivision back in the 1970s before moving onto Montgomery. He remembers his son Ronald climbing the tree, and enjoying himself to the utmost back in the day. Liston himself participated in decorating the tree during the Christmas season.

“The magnolia was a lot healthier back then,” said Liston. “And I’m thankful for the efforts to keep the tree going.”

Proclamations from State Senator Brandon Creighton, State Representative Will Metcalf, and Conroe Mayor Duke Coon were read, all praising the tree for its long life, its historic designation, and being a living witness to the history of Conroe and Montgomery County.

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