History of The Woodlands
Since its official opening on October 19, 1974, The Woodlands has grown from an ambitious idea into a vibrant place to live, work, play and learn. This much-loved community exists today thanks to the vision of its founder, George Mitchell, who dreamt of a caring place surrounded by nature.
The Woodlands has been named one of the best places to live in America and is a favorite among travelers seeking natural beauty, world-class live music, delicious meals, outdoor adventure, and luxury shopping.
GEORGE MITCHELL'S VISION
Born in Galveston, Mr. Mitchell was a successful oil and gas engineer, entrepreneur, and (later in his career) a residential developer. He always said the development of The Woodlands was his proudest achievement.
A master-planned destination covering 28,000 acres, one of Mr. Mitchell’s goals was to preserve at least 28% of the native pine forest. His passion for sustainability was a key aspect of its creation. The Woodlands continues to honor George’s wishes with careful consideration for the natural environment.
The Woodlands started out with one school, one residential village and one hotel (The Woodlands Inn, which is now The Woodlands Resort). Over time, it expanded. Today, visitors and residents can enjoy a huge array of cultural and outdoors activities.
Learn more about how The Woodlands has grown while staying true to its purpose on Howard Hughes website or in Roger Galatas' book, "The Woodlands: The Inside Story of Creating a Better Hometown".
Preserving The Woodlands
George Mitchell was dedicated to building a community while preserving natural beauty. Learn more about his vision for sustainability in The Woodlands.
Read More
Meet Robert Heineman
Robert Heineman has been integral to the development of The Woodlands for 48 years, spending almost a half-century devoted to the community. Learn more about his work.
Read More
RESIDENTIAL VILLAGES
Creating the atmosphere of a small hometown was important to George Mitchell. He wanted to build a neighborhood where residents could walk along peaceful pathways, visit local businesses, dine at restaurants and shop at grocery stores close to their homes.
Surrounding the Town Center, nine residential village centers were built, each offering an individual feel and unique experiences to discover. All villages are located in Montgomery County, with the exception of Creekside Park, which is located in Harris County. Each village was designed to include neighborhood village centers with a grocery store, restaurants, and local businesses like nail salons and boutiques.
The first village was The Village of Grogan’s Mill, which opened at the same time as The Woodlands grand opening in 1974. At the time of opening, less than 40 families lived in the village. It was followed by the villages of Panther Creek (1976), Cochran’s Crossing (1984), Indian Springs (1984), Alden Bridge (1994), College Park (1995), Sterling Ridge (1999), Carlton Woods (2000), and Creekside Park (2007). Today, 123,000 people live in The Woodlands.
THE WOODLANDS TOWN CENTER
Plans for Town Center began in the 1990s, with the vision to create ‘downtown’ area of The Woodlands. The urban center is easy to explore on foot, with public art, restaurants, events, and The Woodlands Mall to enjoy.
The Town Center is home to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, one of the top outdoor amphitheaters in the world. A lifelong dream of George’s wife, Cynthia, The Pavilion opened in 1990 with an unforgettable opening concert, featuring Frank Sinatra. Cynthia envisioned a performing arts venue which would give back to the community and help to support local art, which The Pavilion still does to this day.
A haven for designer shopping and upscale dining, Market Street opened in the Town Center in 2005 offering boutique stores, restaurants, and an outdoor retail experience second to none.
THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY
A long-term project, which began with a simple sketch on a napkin, transformed a drainage ditch into a cultural hub. Construction of The Woodlands Waterway began in 1999 and was completed in 2017. It now stretches for 1.8 miles, flowing through the heart of The Woodlands Town Center. In recent years, Waterway Avenue has become a favorite spot for dining out before a concert at The Pavilion or wandering along the scenic promenade.
Grab a kayak from the Riva Row Boat House or catch the Woodlands Town Center Trolley to make your way around a 4.1-mile loop of Town Center.
HUGHES LANDING
In 2013, a development was built around Lake Woodlands called Hughes Landing. Restaurant Row is a key part of the project, offering a selection of waterfront restaurants, with patios overlooking the lake.
The Hughes Landing Band Shell showcases a regular program of live music from talented local musicians. Listen from the comfort of a lawn chair or from a restaurant patio. There are coffee shops, fitness studios and outdoor activities to enjoy around Hughes Landing, as well as upscale apartments for residential use.
THE WOODLANDS' 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Over the last 50 years, George Mitchell's vision for The Woodlands has become a vibrant reality. It's a thriving destination where residents and visitors can enjoy live music, waterfront dining, miles of pathways, and luxury shopping, all surrounded by natural beauty in the preserved Piney Woods forest. The story of The Woodlands is only just beginning. Visit now and be a part of it.