OOur Legacy
The Woodlands®
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White-Tailed Deer
We are judged by what we leave behind. In a forest that once yielded timber, a new town – The Woodlands – now provides a place where people live in harmony with nature.
SSince its formal opening on October 19, 1974,
The Woodlands has emerged from fledgling
outpost to thriving community where
people live, work, play and learn. As many
as four generations of the same family call
The Woodlands home.
The most common rabbit species in Texas is the Eastern cottontail. Cottontails feed at night on a variety of green plants, barks, buds, and grasses. Even though they serve as prime prey for many predators, cottontails thrive because they are swift-moving and can jump distances of up to eight feet at a time when pursued.
Eastern Cottontail
The Woodlands’ roster of accomplishments is long.
Nine residential villages. The Woodlands Town Center
and The Woodlands Waterway®, a regional focus
for business, entertainment and culture. Public and
private education from pre-school to post graduate. A
welcoming array of recreational options: hike and bike
paths, parks, pools and Signature golf courses. Places
of worship of virtually every denomination. Medical
campuses and world-class resorts.
Yet, the forest remains. Lush stands of trees line major roadways, leading one visiting architect to call The Woodlands “the
invisible city.” More species of birds thrive in The Woodlands now than when the land was just a forest. Over the years,
nearly one million tree seedlings have been given away at Arbor Day festivals and planted to enrich the community’s
forested beauty. Today, nearly 7,000 of the total 28,400 acres of land remain open space.
In this brochure, you can read more about the milestones of growth in The Woodlands and the list of major awards for
excellence in development. Today, The Woodlands is home to thousands of people. It is a legacy that is rich and offers great
promise for the future.
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The 1960s and 1970sLATE 1960s “Developing in harmony with nature” concept was established. Diagram shows the unique community development structure - 1
1971 Lamar Elementary was the first school to open.
1972 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided $50 million in loan guarantees.
1974 The Woodlands formally opened in the Village of Grogan’s Mill.
Billboard advertising The Woodlands Grand Opening in October - 2
Construction of The Woodlands Inn and Conference Center - 3
Cynthia Woods Mitchell, wife of The Woodlands’ founder George P. Mitchell, cut the Grand Opening ribbon on October 19, 1974 with the help of Jim Rush, then Vice President of Marketing. - 4
1975 Interfaith of The Woodlands was established. The first birthday of The Woodlands was celebrated. - 5
1976 McCullough, the first high school in The Woodlands opened.
1977 The second village, Panther Creek, was developed.
1978 A worker puts the finishing touches on the sign for Jamail’s, the community’s first supermarket that opened in The Wharf in 1978. - 6 Skaters at The Ice Rink in The Wharf in the late 1970s - 71979 George P. Mitchell positioned a time capsule as part of the groundbreaking for Mitchell Energy and Development Corp.’s headquarters in The Woodlands. - 8
George P. Mitchell made the first purchase ofland that was to become part of The Woodlands.1964
LATE
1960s 1974 1975 1978 1979
The “Last Annual Bottom of theLake Festival” was celebrated tocommemorate the completion ofLake Woodlands.
1985
19831982 1985 1989
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The 1980s1980 Construction began on The Woodlands’ first bank.
1982 The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) was announced.
The Research Forest was established to accommodate high-tech spin-off companies from the Texas Medical Center. - 9
The first Lighting of the Doves Ceremony, heralding the start of the holiday season, was held in Grogan’s Mill. - 10
1983 Investment by all parties in The Woodlands reached the $1 billion milestone.
Ed Lee, then President of The Woodlands Corporation, presided over the Grand Opening of the Village of Cochran’s Crossing, along with members of the Cochran family. - 11
Development began in the fourth village, Indian Springs.
1984 The Tournament Players Course in The Woodlands was announced.
“Children at Play”, a sculpture by Clement Renzi, was unveiled at th Grand Opening of the Panther Creek Village Center. - 12
1985 The Woodlands Hospital, the first hospital in the community opened. It is now Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital. - 13
A Tug of War was one of the highlights of “The Last Annual Bottom of the Lake Festival”. - 14
1986 The South Montgomery County YMCA opened its first branch in The Woodlands.
Harmony Bridge opened on Kuykendahl Road to connect Montgomery and Harris counties.
The “Olympic Festival” was held throughout the community. - 15
1987 The Hardy Toll Road opened providing commuters an alternative to I-45.
1988 The John Cooper School opened.
1989 Golfing legend Arnold Palmer teed off to the delight of members of “Arnie’s Army” to celebrate opening of the course he designed for The Woodlands Country Club. - 16 The Woodlands celebrated its 15th birthday. Residents, including founder George Mitchell, put their handprints in cement for posterity.
1986
1990
1990 1993 1994 1999
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The 1990s1990 Frank Sinatra was the opening act at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. - 17 The Woodlands first attained its #1 ranking in new home sales in Texas.1991 Hughes Tool Company moved its world headquarters to The Woodlands.1992 Original $50 million HUD debentures were retired.1993 The Woodlands Town Center was announced. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for Montgomery College in The Woodlands. - 181994 Roger Galatas, then President of The Woodlands Development Company, presided over the ribbon-cutting for the new Village of Alden Bridge, named after his hometown in Louisiana. - 191994 Population of The Woodlands topped 40,000. Thousands of balloons were dropped at the Grand Opening of The Woodlands Mall. - 20 The Woodlands was presented the Urban Land Institute’s Award of Excellence. George H.W. Bush visited The John Cooper School for its first graduation. - 211995 Montgomery College opened in The Woodlands.1996 The Woodlands High School opened in the Village of Cochran’s Crossing.1997 The University Center opened its new building in The Woodlands. A partnership of Crescent Real Estate Equities and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund II acquired The Woodlands from original and founding owner, Mitchell Energy & Development Corp.1999 “The Light in the Forest”, a light show atop Town Center Two, was part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration. - 22 The original 25 Hometown Heroes were selected and honored. - 23 A new home was given away during the 25th Anniversary Celebration. - 24 Development began for the Village of Sterling Ridge, named to commemorate The Woodlands’ 25th Anniversary.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell unveiled a rendering of The Pavilion that bears her name.
The 2000s 2000 Resident diver Laura Wilkinson was honored by The Woodlands for winning the Gold Medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.- 25 The first homesite was sold in Carlton Woods, The Woodlands’ premier gated community. - 262001 Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course opened in Carlton Woods. Michael Richmond, then President of The Woodlands Development Company, and Jack Nicklaus at a special members’ event commemorating the opening of the Nicklaus course in Carlton Woods - 27
Harper’s Landing, a large residential neighborhood in the Village of College Park, opened with a party at the new pool and sprayground. - 282002 Gary Player taught a golf clinic at the opening of the course that bears his name in the Village of Sterling Ridge.- 29 The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center opened with a New Year’s Eve Community Open House. - 302003 First urban residences, The Woodlands Waterway Lofts, opened on The Woodlands Waterway®. - 31 St. Luke’s Community Medical Center opened in The Woodlands. The Rouse Company acquired Crescent Real Estate Equities’ interest in The Woodlands.2004 Grand opening was held for the outdoor expansion of The Woodlands Mall at The Woodlands Waterway®. Market Street, a 34-acre shopping, dining and event venue opened. - 32 The second YMCA opened in the Village of Sterling Ridge. The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library opened in the Village of Sterling Ridge. The Rouse Company’s interest in The Woodlands was acquired by General Growth Properties.
The Woodlands Waterway® opened and water taxi service began.
2004
2000 2001 2003 2004
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2002
2005 The first homes were available for sale in East Shore, the “Garden District” of The Woodlands Town Center. - 33 Population exceeded 80,000. The Woodlands College Park High School opened. The first lots were available in Carlton Woods Creekside, the 500-acre expansion of Carlton Woods.2006 Tom Fazio Championship Course opened in Carlton Woods Creekside - 342007 Trolley service began in The Woodlands Town Center.2008 A “Turkey Trot” marked the November opening of May Valley, a 400-acre neighborhood in the Village of Sterling Ridge. - 35 The Rob Fleming Aquatic Center opened in the Village of Creekside Park.- 362009 The new facility for recreational kayaking, Riva Row Park & Boat House, opened on The Woodlands Waterway®. - 37 A tea ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the Koi Garden on The Woodlands Waterway®. - 38 Creekside Forest K-6 School, part of the Tomball ISD, was the first public school to open in the Village of Creekside Park. Population exceeded 90,000. Alex Sutton and Tim Welbes, Co-Presidents of The Woodlands Development Company, joined in a ceremonial coin toss marking the official dedication of The Fountains at Waterway Square. - 39 Waterway Square, with its spectacular multiple water features, was officially dedicated in The Woodlands Town Center. This event began the development of The Woodlands Waterway Square District. - 40
2008 200920062005
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2007The Woodlands’ 9th village, Creekside Park, opened on October 19, 2007,the 33rd Birthday of The Woodlands.
2010 On January 1, services and operations of the Community Associations of The Woodlands fully transitioned to The Woodlands Township. The Outdoor Adventure Center opened at the new Creekside YMCA, the third YMCA branch to open in The Woodlands. - 41 The Grand Opening of Timarron, a new 240-acre neighborhood in the Village of Creekside Park west of Kuykendahl Road - 422011 In January, General Growth Properties’ share in The Woodlands was acquired by The Howard Hughes Corporation, and in July, The Howard Hughes Corporation acquired Morgan Stanley Real Estate’s interest in The Woodlands. The 35th Anniversary of Arbor Day was celebrated at Rob Fleming Park in the Village of Creekside Park. - 43 Population exceeded 100,000. New spraygrounds opened in Timarron Park in the Village of Creekside Park and May Valley Park in the Village of Sterling Ridge. - 44
2010 2011
AwardsRecognitions
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aWaRdS & ReCOGnITIOnS2010 Outstanding Park/Facility Design Award presented by Southwest Region of the National Recreation and Park Association for design of the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in the Village of Creekside Park Master Planned Community of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for overall planning and design of The Woodlands Landscape Design of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for natural and created landscape design in the neighborhood of East Shore 2009 Landmark Award for Best Office Project presented by the Houston Business Journal for development of 24 Waterway Avenue office/retail building in The Woodlands Town Center Environmental Planning Award presented by American Planning Association, Texas Chapter Houston Section for outstanding contribution to planning in the Greater Houston area 2009 Recreation Facility Award presented by Texas Recreation and Park Society for the design of the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in the Village of Creekside Park Park Design Excellence Award presented by Texas Recreation and Park Society for the design of The Fountains at Waterway Square Maintenance Award presented by Texas Recreation and Park Society for superior maintenance standards and practices, including creative approaches to problem solving and innovative means of maintaining parks and recreation facilities Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary – The Club at Carlton Woods Creekside presented by Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System for maintaining a high degree of environmental commitment on the Tom Fazio Championship golf course 2008 Corporate Conservation Leadership Award presented by the Nature Conservancy of Texas for development of the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve in the Village of Creekside Park, and sensitivity to the environment in the overall development of The Woodlands community Silver Spur Award presented by Texas Public Relations Association for producing the Grand Opening of the Village of Creekside Park Grand Award for Advertising – Developer Category presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for overall excellence in marketing (also in 2005, 2002, 2001) Tree Preservation Award presented by The Park People for preserving 6,000 acres, or 25% of the developed land of the community, plus creating 162 miles of hike and bike trails connecting 110 parks 2007 Community of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for sensitivity to natural and created environments, design appeal and landscaping design (also in 2006 and 2003)
East ShoreThe Garden District of
The Woodlands Town Center
2007 Humanitarian of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for contributions to the community through its “Good Neighbors Community Partnership Program” (also in 2003) 2005 Honor Award presented by the American Institute of Architects for design of The Woodlands Waterway® 2004 Environmental Impact Award presented by the North Houston Association for preserving and protecting the environment in South Montgomery County 2004 Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary – The Club at Carlton Woods presented by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System for maintaining a high degree of environmental commitment on the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course Citation Award presented by the American Institute of Architects for design of the Waterway Avenue Bridge 2003 Landmark Award – Best Multiuse Project Sale presented by the Houston Business Journal for the Rouse Company’s acquisition of Crescent Real Estate Equities’ interest in The Woodlands Landmark Award – Best Medical Project presented by the Houston Business Journal for the completion of St. Luke’s Community Medical Center-The Woodlands Nations in Bloom Gold Award presented by the international Nations in Bloom Competition (The Netherlands) for environmental practices in this international competition, vying against 274 cities throughout the world Nations in Bloom Second Place Overall Award presented by the international Nations in Bloom Competition (The Netherlands) for providing a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community that improves the quality of life ASLA Texas Chapter Honor Award presented by American Society of Landscape Architects, Texas Chapter for excellence in the design of The Woodlands’ main entrance 2002 Commercial Award presented by Texas Recreation & Parks Society for excellence in the development of parks and recreation in The Woodlands Landmark Award – Best Corporate Move presented by the Houston Business Journal for CB&I – recognized as a commercial real estate project that makes a significant impression on the Houston landscape 1999 Developer of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for excellence in developing a master planned community 1997 Environmental Achievement Award presented by Texas Association of Nurserymen for excelling in endeavors to preserve, enhance, maintain and beautify the environment 1994 Award of Excellence in Special Development presented by the Urban Land Institute for superior design, relevance to contemporary issues, and resourceful use of land while improving the quality of the environment 1993 FIABCI Prix D’Excellence World Premier Real Estate Award presented by FIABCI for all-around excellence as a world-premier community 1991 Texas Urban Forestry Award presented by Texas Forest Service & Texas Urban Forestry Council for building a community in the forest Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
An annual traditionsince 1977
The Dreamer by David PhelpsOne of more than 50 pieces ofpublic art in The Woodlands
1991 Beautification Award presented by the South Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for design appeal of Venture Tech III office complex The Legacy Award presented by the Houston Business Journal for planning, design and construction of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
1990 Harris B. Lieberman “Developer of the Year Award” presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for overall development of The Woodlands community Texas Urban Forestry Award presented by Texas Forest Service & Texas Urban Forestry Council for building a community in the forest 1989 Urban Forestry Award presented by Greater Houston Galveston Urban Forestry Council for The Woodlands’ annual Arbor Day Celebration The Lorax Award presented by Lorax Award for Business for George Mitchell’s significant contributions to global sustainable development 1986 Award of Distinguished Achievement presented by The Houston Chapter of The American Institute of Architects for overall planning of The Woodlands and for integrating an entire community with the natural green enveloping environs 1984 Award of Distinguished Achievement presented by The Houston Chapter of The American Institute of Architects for development of Shadow Bend Park and Shadow Lake, and outstanding contributions to the environment by the nurture of nature in a residential neighborhood 1983 Developer Merchandising of the Year presented by Greater Houston Builders Association for natural and created environments, landscape design, and appeal of The Woodlands 1981 Award of Distinguished Achievement presented by The Houston Chapter of The American Institute of Architects for outstanding contribution to the environment and new town natural landscaping Award of Distinguished Achievement presented by The Houston Chapter of The American Institute of Architects for the refreshing display of water in landscaping design throughout The Woodlands 1978 Environment in Commercial presented by American Industrial Properties for promoting sound environmental planning in the industrial/office park field 1975 Community Quality of Life Award presented by The Environmental Monthly for creating quality of life in The Woodlands community 1974 Annual Environment Honor Award presented by The Environmental Monthly for land use throughout The Woodlands Better Environmental Award presented by the American Society of Landscape Architects for landscape design Design Award presented by Sixth Annual Biennial HUD Awards for design of The Woodlands community
GreenspaceMapGolf Courses
Forest Preserves
Open Space
Total Greenspace
Pathways
Parks (only larger parks are shown on map)
Grogan’s Mill
Panther Creek
Cochran’s Crossing
Indian Springs
Alden Bridge
College Park
Sterling Ridge
Creekside Park
Carlton Woods
The Research Forest
The Town Center
GREENSPACE (AT BUILD-OUT)
1,690 acres
1,900 acres
4,200 acres
7,790 acres
205 miles
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THE VILLAGES
deSIGnInG WITh naTuReEven though the land use plan for The Woodlands was created in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it continues to guide development, thanks to its fundamental correctness and flexibility to accommodate market trends. The original plan utilized the expertise of notables like Ian McHarg, author of Design with Nature, William Pereira, Gladstone Associates and others, including Robert Hartsfield, an architect with experience in urban planning and environmental protection.
Ultimately, nearly 8,000 acres, or 28 percent, of The Woodlands will remain greenspace including forest preserves, greenbelts, golf courses, parks and other recreational amenities.
a WORk In PROGReSSThe Woodlands is a dynamic community, one that will never be “truly” finished. Already, some of the early neighborhoods have evolved from enclaves of family homes to neighborhoods for empty nesters and back to areas “discovered” by new waves of young families with children.
More than 1,700 businesses, including headquarters of major corporations, are based in The Woodlands. The collection of public art continues to grow. Trolleys and Waterway cruisers move quietly along The Woodlands Waterway® in a place where teams of mules once dragged logs toward a sawmill. An unparalleled choice of recreational facilities continues to evolve with outstanding new parks and regional greenspaces like the George Mitchell Nature Preserve and Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands’ newest village, Creekside Park.
With a solid infrastructure for services and governance, the community is well equipped to grow, and to accommodate the inevitable changes brought about by that growth. The Woodlands continues to be a place where natural and manmade environments co-exist in harmony. And still there is the beautiful forested setting, enhanced each year in nature’s own timeless way, and nurtured by residents of The Woodlands.
Homes within The Woodlands are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) or any of its affiliates, companies or partnerships. Neither TWDC nor any of its affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants
the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change. Membership fees may be required. 6/12
The
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deer can be found in wooded areas in southern Canada and most of the United States, including The Woodlands. When alarmed, it may stomp its hooves and snort to warn other deer. It may also “flag” or raise its tail and show its white underside. When a mother deer is running, this white underside can help her fawns follow her.
Red foxes live in family groups sharing a joint territory across the entire northern hemisphere. Kits, baby foxes, are born blind, deaf and toothless, with dark brown fluffy fur. Mothers remain with the kits for 2–3 weeks, during which the fathers, or barren vixens, feed the mothers. If the mother dies before the kits are independent, the father takes over as their provider.
Red Fox
