Conroe, TX: The Corner Pub
Address: 302 N Main St, Conroe, TX 77301
Built: 1911
Status: Open
Elvis Date: August 1955
I Visited On: July 15, 2023
My experience
Surrounded by 3 other Elvis attractions in the same 2-3 small blocks, The Corner Pub is easy to find, but is only open for afternoons and evenings. I happened to be there around noon, so I missed getting to go inside.
History of the pub
The building originally on this spot, burned down in the February 1911 Conroe fire, a fire that claimed 65 wooden structures. The building was rebuilt with red brick and completed in November 1911 by Pete West, a local businessman and civic leader. During its life, the building has housed a grocery store, restaurants, saloons, a photocopy business, and an office building for lawyers and doctors.
Timeline
This timeline does not cover everything that occupied this building, just the things I could find something on.
Before Prohibition: Pete West ran a saloon on the first floor
During Prohibition (when alcohol was outlawed): The building became a grocery store
1931: Neil West opened a barber shop with showers in the back for men
Early 1930s: Part of the building became the Crighton Drug Store, operated by Harry Crighton
The building was sold to Lewis C. Brownlee and became the Brownlee Drug Store
At one time, it was the home base for a handicapped watch repairman who came from Houston and “was the best around”
The building changed ownership and was renamed Scotts Pharmacy
Rodney Pool bought the building in 2001
Pool, his wife Joyce, and their daughter LeeAnne, had a vision and opened The Corner Pub in 2005
Over the last 100+ years, most of the time, the second floor was used as living quarters for the building owner and tenants, and offices for doctors, lawyers, and businessmen.
Elvis at the pub
It’s said Elvis performed here while in town with the Hayride in August 1955, but nothing is confirmed.
I couldn’t look up information in their city archives, because the Conroe Archives are “temporarily closed” (July 2023) and the library only has information that can be found anywhere online.
Sources:
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