When the first Europeans settled in what is now Montgomery County, they encountered the Lenni Lenape Indians, an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lived in villages of several hundred people. This area is now renowned for having the largest Jewish population in Maryland, accounting for 45% of the state's Jews. Montgomery County is also one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse counties in the United States; four of the ten most culturally diverse cities and towns in the country are located here. The name Montgomery County, along with the founding of Washington County, Maryland, was a first for the United States.
It was the first time that counties and provinces of the thirteen colonies were not named after British references. The county is bordered to the north by Walker and San Jacinto Counties, to the east by Liberty County, to the south by Harris County, and to the west by Waller and Grimes Counties. On March 24, 1803, Ohio legislature met in Chillicothe and enacted a law that divided Hamilton and Ross counties. During Reconstruction, Montgomery County was largely spared from much of the conflicts that other Texas counties experienced; there was no permanent federal garrison in the county nor was there a Freedmen's Office.
At the start of the Civil War, Montgomery County had a distinctly Southern character and outlook. It had a rapidly developing plantation economy and was typical of many other counties in the region. In fact, a single house on Lakeview Drive is divided into three parts by a strip that lies in Montgomery, Frederick, and Howard counties. Like many other counties in Texas, Montgomery County suffered a prolonged post-war agricultural depression. Today, Montgomery County is a vibrant community with a rich history and culture.
It is home to some of the most diverse cities and towns in America, as well as some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Texas. From its early days as an Indian settlement to its current status as one of America's most culturally diverse counties, Montgomery County has come a long way.
