45-682: State Highway 249 ( SH 249 ), also known depending on its location as West Mount Houston Road , the Tomball Parkway , Tomball Tollway , MCTRA 249 Tollway , or the Aggie Expressway , is a 49.443-mile (79.571 km) generally north–south highway in Southeast Texas . The southern terminus is in North Houston at Interstate 45 (I-45). The current northern terminus of the highway is east of Navasota at SH 105 . The section of SH 249 along
90-704: A 2011 Gold Leadership Award from the Texas Comptroller 's Office for efforts in transparency . Its application scored 17 of 20 points. Navasota was one of 70 (out of over a thousand) cities in Texas to receive the Gold status. It also received the award in 2013. In 2012, Navasota was named by the Union Pacific Railroad as "Train Town USA". In August 2013, Navasota was named a Go Texan "Certified Retirement Community" by
135-938: A distinction in ELA/Reading and exceeded state targets in Student Progress, Student Achievement, Closing Performance Gaps, and Post-Secondary Readiness. Navasota Junior High exceeded state targets in Student Progress and Post-Secondary Readiness. John C. Webb Elementary exceeded state targets in Student Progress and Post-Secondary Readiness. Brule Elementary exceeded state targets in Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps, and Post-Secondary Readiness. High Point Elementary earned distinctions in ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Top 25 Percent Closing Gaps, Top 25 Percent Student Progress, and Post-Secondary Readiness. High Point Elementary exceeded state targets in Student Progress, Student Achievement, Closing Performance Gaps, and Post-Secondary Readiness. NISD offers instructional support for learners through
180-534: A household in the city was $ 38,000, and for a family was $ 31,875. Males had a median income of $ 28,585 versus $ 21,731 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,564. About 23.8% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 24.0% of those age 65 or over. The United States Postal Service operates the Navasota Post Office. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates
225-512: A hundred men had died". Famed lawman Frank Hamer , then 24 years old, was hired from the Texas Rangers to become the City Marshal. Hamer moved in and imposed law and order, prosecuting Navasota criminals until the town became safe again. He served as marshal until 1911. Hamer became more widely known in 1934 as a leader of the posse that hunted down and fatally shot Bonnie and Clyde . In 2012,
270-932: A variety of programs such as Advanced Academics/GT, Dual Credit College Classes, Dyslexic Services, English as a Second Language Support, Program 504 Support, Special Services for needs such as speech, learning disabilities, and other health impairments, Pre-Kindergarten Classes, Tiered Supports through RtI, and an Academic Alternative School. The average student to teacher ratio is 14:1. School organizations and athletics available to students include Business Professionals of America, FFA, Student Council, National Honor Society , Theatre, Choir, Kickstart, Band, Bass Fishing, FCA, Skills USA, Library Club, Boyz II Men, Princess Code, UIL Academics, One Act Play, HOSA-Future Health Science Professionals, Spanish Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Drill Team, Cheer, Basketball, Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Powerlifting, Soccer, and Track. In 1990,
315-452: A warehouse filled with cotton and gunpowder exploded after it was torched by returning Confederate soldiers. The blast killed a number of people and started a fire that destroyed much of the original downtown. Many buildings were damaged, including the post office. Not long afterward, the town was struck by a deadly cholera epidemic. That was followed in 1867 by an even more dangerous epidemic of yellow fever . Many Navasota citizens, including
360-686: A working group with local officials and stakeholders to discuss alternatives for the SH ;249 corridor. The segment from Sentinel Oaks to FM 1774 in Pinehurst (maintained by MCTRA) opened in spring 2020. From FM 1774 in Pinehurst, north up to SH 105 in Grimes County, SH 249 was under the jurisdiction of TxDOT. The remaining portion of SH 249 in Montgomery County from FM 1488 to FM 1774 in Todd Mission
405-524: Is $ 1.95; however, unlike the HCTRA and MCTRA sections of the toll road, TxDOT allows a pay-by-mail option for all users in addition to EZ Tag, TollTag and TxTag, though at a higher cost per toll. Another eight miles of the Aggie Expressway from FM 1488 up to FM 1774 north Todd Mission opened to traffic on March 26, 2021. The current cost to drive segment 1B is $ 2.54 for two-axle vehicles, which took effect on
450-651: Is a city primarily in Grimes County , Texas , United States. The population was 7,643 at the 2020 census . In 2005, the Texas Legislature designated Navasota as the "Blues Capital of Texas" in honor of the late Mance Lipscomb , a Navasota native and blues musician. Technically, a sliver of Navasota is in Brazos County, which is part of the Bryan-College Station Metropolitan area. Navasota
495-594: Is a local arterial road, whereas north of it, it becomes a non-tolled freeway until it reaches Northpointe Boulevard, where the Tomball Tollway begins. Phase one runs for 6 miles (9.7 km) from just north of Spring Cypress Road, the current terminus of the existing free lanes to just north of the existing Tomball bypass. The Tomball Tollway is three lanes in each direction that are used to bypass seven stoplights and will only accept electronic toll-tags ( EZ Tag , TollTag and TxTag ) as no cash payments will be allowed;
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#1732858514874540-520: Is located in southwestern Grimes County , east of the Navasota River (a tributary of the Brazos River ). It is 71 miles (114 km) northwest of Houston . Texas State Highway 105 is the main east–west route that passes through the center of Navasota, leading southwest 25 miles (40 km) to Brenham and east 41 miles (66 km) to Conroe . Texas State Highway 6 passes north–south through
585-666: The O.L. Luther Unit and the Wallace Pack Unit in an unincorporated area in Grimes County near Navasota. In addition, the Pack Warehouse is located in an unincorporated area near the Pack Unit. The Navasota Independent School District includes five traditional campuses and one academic alternative school campus. All campuses received a Met Standard rating from the Texas Education Agency . Navasota High School earned
630-673: The Texas Department of Agriculture . Navasota is served by the weekly Navasota Examiner newspaper, which has been reporting on Grimes County since 1894. The city is also home to the Willy 98.7 FM and 1550 AM radio stations, which are owned and managed by Bryan Broadcasting in Bryan, Texas . Willy 98.7 is a classic country station with local programming that includes the Navasota News and live broadcasts of Navasota Rattlers football games. In 2013,
675-516: The 1980s. The company became so important to Houston that it necessitated the expansion of SH 249 in the late 1980s, and many other technology companies appeared in what became known as the "249 Corridor". In 2015, SH 249 was extended northwest 24.4 miles from FM 149 and FM 1774 to SH 105 near Stoneham. A section of SH 249 from Woodtrace Boulevard to FM 149 was renumbered as a southern extension of FM 1774 in December 2019. On June 25, 2020,
720-450: The British documentary project known as Vague Direction visited Navasota and interviewed local residents Misslette The Singing Cowgirl and hog trapper Steve Stribling. Navasota has many shops and artisans in its historic downtown district, including antique , gift, and boutique stores and art galleries housed in old classic stone and brick structures. Live plays are performed regularly at
765-613: The City of Navasota commissioned local sculptor Russell Cushman to design and create a statue of Frank Hamer, which is now on display in front of the city hall building. As of 2018, the population of the town was an estimated 7,715 people. The industrial sector of the community boasts 23 companies and over 1,200 jobs. In 2009, Navasota was selected as a "Visionaries in Preservation" city by the Texas Historical Commission to protect
810-462: The FM ;1774 extension was modified so that it extended only over the frontage roads of SH 249 from FM 149 to Woodtrace Boulevard while the main lanes from Woodtrace Boulevard to FM 1774 and on to SH 105 retained the SH 249 designation. On August 8, 2020, the section of SH 249 from FM 1774 to FM 1488 was opened. On March 26, 2021, the section of SH 249 from FM 1488 to FM 1774
855-511: The Navasota Rattlers, until the new stadium was constructed in 2006. Several native-stone churches also remain near downtown, with distinctive Victorian fronts. The city is home to two statues of French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle , including a bronze monument, dedicated in 1936 by the DAR , to celebrate the travels of the famous French explorer. The second is a stone bust that
900-570: The Navasota Valley. Navasota was founded by European Americans in 1831 as a stagecoach stop named "Nolansville." Its name was changed in 1858 to Navasota, a name perhaps derived from the Native American word nabatoto ("muddy water"). After September 1859, when the Houston and Texas Central Railway built rails through the town, Navasota became an important shipping and marketing center for
945-637: The Port of Houston and the Texas Medical Center. A bypass of Magnolia was desirable because of the large traffic load every October due to the annual Texas Renaissance Festival . Decreased funding for road projects in recent years had stalled the extension of SH 249. However the rapid growth in the area has led to a renewed push in 2012 to build further segments. Plans for the middle segments (Pinehurst–Todd Mission) and north segment (Todd Mission–Navasota) were revived by TXDOT in early 2013. TxDOT has formed
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#1732858514874990-489: The Sunny Furman Theatre. The city also has golfing facilities and parks as well as wineries . Navasota retains a number of historic Victorian homes on Washington Avenue, the main residential and commercial thoroughfare through town. Another attraction is the historic Brule Field, a natural amphitheater built in the 1930s out of native stone. It served as the primary grid for the local high school football team,
1035-611: The TxDOT maintained section north of Woodtrace Boulevard opened on August 8, 2020. The total cost of the toll for MCTRA's segment is $ 1.47 for two-axle vehicles and, like HCTRA's Tomball Tollway, will only accept electronic toll-tags (EZ Tag, TollTag and TxTag). From FM 1774 in Pinehurst to FM 1488 east of Magnolia, the toll road continues as SH 249 Toll, also known as the Aggie Expressway. The tolled mainlanes of Section 1A are maintained by TxDOT and were opened on August 8, 2020, with no tolls charged until December 2020. The cost to drive segment 1A
1080-645: The city and sold in the domestic slave trade. They worked primarily in the cotton fields, which were a major commodity crop in the area. Guns were made in nearby Anderson . Cotton, gunpowder , and shoes were made, processed, and stored in Anderson for the Confederacy during the American Civil War . By 1865, the population of Navasota was about 2,700. Throughout the Civil War, all the marketable goods produced in
1125-451: The city was 52.4% White, 38.4% Hispanic or Latino, 30.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, and 2.1% from two or more races. Of the 2,206 households, 37% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29% were not families. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who
1170-461: The day of opening. The final segment of SH 249, Segment 2 of the Aggie Expressway began construction in late 2018 and was opened to all traffic on October 28, 2022. It is currently a 2-lane freeway with intermittent passing lanes that stretches from FM 1774 near Todd Mission to SH 105 east of Navasota . The segment is not tolled. Originally a part of FM 149 , the highway was given the designation of SH 249 in 1988. Previously, SH 249
1215-436: The downtown and hopefully alleviate traffic. The alignment of SH 249 from Hicks Road to Holderreith Road that went through the city proper was re-designated as SH 249 Business-B on September 25, 2003. Construction of the bypass was delayed many times, but eventually began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. This bypass was eventually incorporated into Phase I of the Tomball Tollway as the free to use frontage roads running alongside
1260-403: The draw. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 7,643 people, 2,661 households, and 2,011 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2010, 7,049 people, 2,206 households, and 1,726 families reside in the city. The population density was 1,109.7 inhabitants per square mile (428.5/km ). The 2,805 housing units averaged 435.0 per square mile (167.9/km ). The racial makeup of
1305-477: The eastern side of the city as a four-lane bypass, leading northwest 22 miles (35 km) to College Station and south 21 miles (34 km) to Hempstead . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.1 km ), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km ), or 0.47%, is water. The French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle , who
1350-414: The east–west section between I-45 and West Montgomery is called West Mount Houston Road, a local arterial road. West Mount Houston Road, however, actually extends east past the intersection of SH 249 at I-45 to an intersection with Airline Drive. The section of SH 249 between West Montgomery Road and Spring Cypress Road is called Tomball Parkway. South of its intersection with Hollister Road, Tomball Parkway
1395-583: The mayor, fled to escape the disease, and the town's population dropped by about 50 percent. In the late 1860s the KKK moved into Navasota, prompting a tense confrontation between federal soldiers and a crowd of local whites on one occasion. Navasota was considered such a "wild and woolly" place that women and children were discouraged from going downtown even in broad daylight. The downtown buildings were overrun with lawless ruffians, gamblers, prostitutes, and drunks. Lawmen had to hide and watch, and often were afraid of
Texas State Highway 249 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1440-408: The numerous historic structures in the city. A new municipal building was completed in 2011 and continued downtown improvements are under construction, with completion scheduled for 2023. In 2012, Navasota Municipal Airport completed an expansion of its runway to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) long by 75 feet (23 m) wide and is now able to accommodate jets on the runway. The city of Navasota earned
1485-484: The region were brought to Navasota, which at the time was the furthest inland railhead in Texas. Such goods were shipped south by rail to Galveston , where they could be transported by steamboat along the Texas coast and up the Mississippi River to the war effort or exported to Mexico or overseas to Europe . Navasota suffered a series of disasters in the mid-1860s that severely depleted its population. In 1865,
1530-433: The streets at night. There were many saloons and gaming halls to entertain the cowboys, railroad men, and others on the loose. Every Sunday morning the undertaker hitched up a buggy and went downtown to collect the bodies he expected to find after another wild Saturday night. In 1908, Navasota was still a Wild West boomtown: according to one source, "shootouts on the main street were so frequent that in two years at least
1575-562: The surrounding area. When the nearby historic town of Washington-on-the-Brazos resisted railways, it forfeited its geographic advantage and began to decline after many of its businesses and residents began to migrate to the new railhead 7 miles (11 km) to the northeast across the Brazos River at Navasota. Slavery was integral to the local economy. A few wealthy planters depended on enslaved African Americans to provide labor for their large cotton plantations. The slaves were brought to
1620-488: The time he served as city marshal. Local artist and sculptor Russell Cushman designed and built the bronze statue. Other attractions include art galleries, the Horlock House Artists-in-Residence program and museum, live music venues, food truck parks and several murals that present great selfie locations for area visitors. Seasonal festivals attract crowds each year, with live music being a large part of
1665-451: The tolled main lanes. Phase two extends the tollway into Montgomery County from Business SH 249-B to Sentinel Oaks in Montgomery County north of Spring Creek . This $ 335 million project was overseen by the Harris and Montgomery County toll road authorities. Construction on Phase 2 commenced in fall 2016 and was opened to traffic on December 19, 2019. From Spring Creek to FM 1774 in Pinehurst,
1710-605: The tolled mainlanes of SH 249 will be maintained by the Montgomery County Toll Road Authority . Signed as MCTRA 249 Tollway, the first section to open was between Spring Creek and Sentinel Oaks (coinciding with Phase two of the HCTRA segment) on December 19, 2019. Construction on the next segment of MCTRA 249 Tollway from Sentinel Oaks to FM 1774 commenced in spring 2018. The next section of MCTRA 249 Tollway opened from Sentinel Oaks to Woodtrace Boulevard on March 26, 2020. The remaining MCTRA segment connecting to
1755-466: The total cost of the toll for HCTRA's segment is $ 1.50 for two-axle vehicles, while the SH 249 frontage roads will remain free to all drivers. Construction of phase one began in fall 2013 and was completed on April 12, 2015. In 1999, a bypass around the central business district of Tomball was proposed that would reroute SH 249 along the west side of the city, this would allow commercial and thru traffic to avoid
1800-461: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.39. In the city, 30.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.6% were between 18 and 24, 26.7% were between 25 and 44, 18.0% were between 45 and 64, and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males. The median income for
1845-708: Was completed on March 26, 2021. In Grimes County, the north segment was constructed as a non-tolled two-lane freeway . Construction in Grimes County began in late 2018 and was completed in October 2022. All exits are unnumbered. Southeast Texas Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 763497981 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:35:15 GMT Navasota, Texas Navasota
Texas State Highway 249 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1890-498: Was designated on June 22, 1937 from then- SH 73 (now Interstate 10) near San Felipe north to the Brazos River. The route was redesignated on May 9, 1940, as Spur 99 . The route became part of Farm to Market Road 1458 on January 20, 1966. The highway's importance grew after Compaq , a former information technology company, chose to locate its headquarters near at the intersection of SH 249 and Louetta Rd in Harris County in
1935-528: Was misguided in his 1687 attempt to locate the Mississippi River and trying to find his way back to French-held lands near the Great Lakes , came through the area that would become Navasota, where he was murdered by one of his men. After numerous voyages, explorations of the Mississippi River valley, and trading ventures and several mutinies, La Salle's bones are believed to have found their resting place in
1980-485: Was opened. Since the designation of SH 249, TxDOT had long-term plans to extend the highway to Grimes County. Continued growth in the Bryan / College Station , Conroe and northwest Houston regions have congested existing roadways, including SH 105 and FM 1774 . Texas A&M University and businesses in the Bryan/College Station area would benefit from faster connections to Bush-Intercontinental Airport,
2025-525: Was previously in downtown, and was rededicated by the French consulate in May 2012 at nearby August Horst Park. The bust was donated to the city by the French government in 1978. Each spring, Navasota is a popular destination for its bluebonnet fields, the state flower of Texas. A statue of Mance Lipscomb is now a part of Mance Lipscomb Park, near downtown. A statue of Frank Hamer stands in front of city hall, honoring
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