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Willis became a community when the Great Northern
Railroad decided to run a track from Houston to Chicago, and the Willis
brothers donated their land in 1870 to the railroad. Willis grew in population
after the trains began to travel through the town. There were hotels, dry
good stores, and many other successful businesses in the 1870's and 1880's.
The tobacco industry played a vital role in Willis' growth and development
during that time. Other cash crops of cotton, watermelons, and tomatoes
were an important part of the economy through the years. The timber industry,
which still plays a role in Willis' economic growth, has been its most stable
economic engine for over one hundred years.
Since the 1980's, Willis has seen its economic base change from agriculture to services, retail, and manufacturing. It is the gateway to Lake Conroe. Interstate 45 bisects the community. One mile east, U.S. Highway 75 and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe rail services run parallel to Interstate 45. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 35 miles south of Willis. The Montgomery County Airport is 10 miles east of Willis. |
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Willis has a highly rated school district which has about 400 high school graduates each year. The school district currently has an enrollment of approximately 4000 students. For more information, please visit the Willis Independent School District site at http://wisd.willis.k12.tx.us. Willis is also a central location for many places of recreational interest in Southeast Texas. Lake Conroe, the Sam Houston National Forest, Huntsville State Park, and golf courses are only some of the attractions. |
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Willis is a growing community as evidenced by the following past, current, and projected population growth. |
