The City of Stagecoach is nestled in a beautifully wooded area of pines and oaks between Tomball and Magnolia.  The quiet woods are full of deer, squirrels, raccoons, possums and birds.  Stagecoach is located in the southwest corner of Montgomery County, approximately 40 miles northwest of downtown Houston and 30 miles southwest of Conroe.   

The population of Stagecoach was 340 in 1990 and 455 in 2000.  The population was 538 according to the 2010 census.  The estimated population as of 2019, according to the US Census Bureau, was 651.

The area now known as Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Stagecoach Farms Subdivision was obtained by Thomas J. Stansbury on January 15, 1847 by a land grant from the State of Texas.   Mr. W. L. Schweinle purchased the land in 1926 and he operated a sawmill on Sulphur Creek until it was closed during the Depression.   In the late 1950’s, Real Estate Diversified, Inc. of Houston subdivided and platted the area.   The name Stagecoach Farms was chosen by the developers in honor of an old stagecoach line that passed through the area during the 19th century and the small farms that dotted the area in bygone days.  

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell Meath built the first home in Stagecoach Farms in 1958 on what is now known as Shady Oaks Drive.  The contractor used a gas driven generator for power in as much as electricity was not available until the house was completed in May 1958.  John Doaks built the second home in Stagecoach, also on Shady Oaks Drive.  The third home was built by Bob and Clancy Kasper on Silver Spur (later purchased by Joe and Nevaire Richardson).  Connor and Sue Webster built the fourth home in Stagecoach on Stagecoach Road.  Connor Webster, who once served as the Judge for the City of Stagecoach, still lives in Stagecoach and he remains active in community affairs.

When the area was subdivided, two man-made lakes were excavated.  Lake Hardin was excavated in 1958 and a three day rain filled it in.  Lake Apache was under construction in 1961 when Hurricane Carla hit the Gulf Coast and the rain from the hurricane filled it in, ending all hope of further excavation. 

By the summer of 1965, the developers of Stagecoach Farms were satisfied that enough property had been sold to justify their investment and they no longer wanted the responsibility for the upkeep of the lakes and parks.   Through the efforts of Mr. H. G. Hires, the Stagecoach Farms Civic Club came into being.  Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State in November 1965 and after the Club became a non-profit organization, the lakes and parks were deeded over to the Club.  The parks and lakes are owned by the Civic Club and are for the use of the members of the Civic Club. 

The first officers of the Civic Club were H. G. Hires, C. C. Powell and Mrs. Campbell Heath. The Civic Club began routing and painting the unique, rustic street signs that are still being used today.  The Civic Club also assumed responsibility for enforcement of the Deed Restrictions.  In May 1967, the Club participated for the first time in the Texas Community Improvement contest and won first place in Division I.  One of the County Home Demonstration Agents stated, “The Judges were highly complementary of the many improvements and the community spirit of your group.”  That community spirit continued to grow over the years and still exists today.
 
Over the years the Civic Club played an instrumental part in the development of Stagecoach.  In 1969, the Club purchased a used tractor, “Old Grey,” to maintain the 10 miles of roadways.  From 1967 to 1972, barges or rafts were built for each lake, restrooms and dressing facilities were constructed, the pavilion at Lake Hardin was constructed, a diving platform was completed, buoys were used to mark the swimming area at Lake Hardin, and entry, street and traffic signs were erected.   All of this work was accomplished by volunteers in the community.   During the 1960's and 1970's, Stagecoach had a very active 4-H Club and a Junior Civic Club and during the summer hosted ice cream socials and put on plays at the pavilion.  In 1966, the Club entered its first float in the Tomball Christmas Parade and won numerous awards, including “First in Civic Clubs” for several years and “First in Civic Clubs” and “Most Unusual” in 1969 for a fantasy moon landing float.    The Club also sponsored and participated in many social events over the years. 

The Stagecoach Farms Home Demonstration Club was formed in 1967 and in 1968 the Club submitted Nevaire Richardson as a nominee for the “Montgomery County Contemporary Woman of the Year.”   Mrs. Richardson was chosen for this honor from among a number of other contestants named throughout Montgomery County.   Mr. and Mrs. Joe Richardson were very active members in the Stagecoach community their entire lives.  Although Joe Richardson passed away on March 3, 2013 and his wife, Nevaire, passed away on June 2, 2013, they will always be a part of the history of Stagecoach.   

The City of Stagecoach was incorporated in 1974 under Chapter 11 of Title 28, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, as a General Law Type B Municipality.   At that time, the City's population was 270.  Stagecoach’s deed restrictions were going to expire in two years and renewal of the restrictions would have required the signature of 75% of the property owners, many of whom did not reside in Stagecoach.  Therefore, several residents decided to incorporate and adopt building codes along the same lines as the deed restrictions.  Incorporation was seen as the best way to preserve the rural, residential atmosphere of the area.  Incorporation would also provide better police protection and protect the area from future annexation.  Stagecoach later became a Type A Municipality by way of Ordinance No. 138 which was adopted on December 17, 1984.

The incorporation election was held on February 23, 1974 at the pavilion at Lake Hardin Park.  The results were 61 in favor and 40 against.   When the City incorporated in 1974, there were 72 homes and half a dozen weekend houses sprawled among the woods and today there are about 215 residences in the City.

Robert Lynch was appointed as the first Deputy Town Marshal of Stagecoach in October 1975.  W. T. Price resigned as Town Marshal in November 1984 and in January 1985, City Council decided to dispense with the position of Town Marshal and confer the duties of that office upon a Peace Officer of Montgomery County.  Officer Willard Passmore and then Officer Ross Bayer served in that position.  On August 20, 1985, the Town of Stagecoach established a Police Department and David C. Johnston was appointed as the first Chief of Police.   In March 2004, the Chief of Police was authorized by City Council to hire up to 10 non-paid officers.   David Johnston served as Chief of Police until June 1999, when Charles B. Thacker was hired as Chief of Police. 

Chief Thacker resigned in 2011 and Michael C. Wethington was appointed as the Chief of Police on September 30, 2011.

In October 2021, Phillip Hughes was appointed as Chief of Police.

The Stagecoach Police Department currently consists of three full-time officers, Chief Phillip Hughes, Officer Monique Hernandez and Officer Rocky Barr; and three volunteer Reserve Officers. 

The City of Stagecoach is a General Law Type A Municipality.   General Law cities are smaller cities, most of which are less than 5,000 in population.   All general law cities operate to specific State statutes prescribing their powers and duties.  General law cities are limited to doing what the State authorizes or permits them to do.  If State law does not grant general law cities the express or implied power to initiate a particular action, none may be taken.  "General Law" is a term used to describe all of the State laws applicable to a particular class of things.  A general law city, therefore, is one that is subject to all of the State laws applicable to such cities, most of which are found in the Texas Local Government Code.

Stagecoach’s governing body consists of a Mayor and five Aldermen, all of whom are elected at large.  Mr. C. C. Powell, a geologist, was elected as the first Mayor of Stagecoach in 1974 and he served until 1978.  The first Aldermen were Joyce Williams, Wallace Keels, George Parker, Donald McNew and Frank Carroll. 

The following people have served as Mayor of Stagecoach:

C. C. Powell  (1974-1978)
Charles L. Conner  (1978-1980)
Wallace Keels  (1980–1982)
Walter L. Cook  (1982–1985)
Barbara Bray  (1985–1986)
Timothy L. Rygg  (1986–1987)
George Parker  (1987-1990)
Thomas Wilson  (1990–1992)
Daniel Donnelly  (1992–1997)
Mic Macmanus  (1997–2000)
James R. Dean  (2000-2001)
Roger Daigger  (2001–2003)
William J. Berger (2003-2010)
Galen Mansee (2010-2024)
James Osteen (2024-Present)

The City’s offices are now located in the E. S. Williams City Center at 16930 Boot Hill Road in Stagecoach.  The E. S. Williams City Center houses the City’s Police Department, the City Secretary-Treasurer-Clerk of Court's office, a conference room and the Department of Public Works.  The facility celebrated its Grand Opening and Dedication on October 23, 2004 in conjunction with the City’s 30th Anniversary of Incorporation celebration.  The City Center is named in honor of the late Eli Stanley Williams, one of the City’s long-term residents and former Director of Public Works, who, together with his wife, Joyce, volunteered thousands of personal hours to the development, well-being and administration of the City.  Sadly, Joyce Williams passed away on October 15, 2012.

The City held a contest in 2005 to design the City's Official Flag.  On July 4, 2005, the flag designed by Stagecoach resident Sandy Henshaw was announced as the winning design.  Three flags fly proudly in front of the E. S. Williams City Center, the U.S.A. Flag, the Texas State Flag and the Stagecoach City Flag.