Following the death of her husband John Ross Martin III in 2015, Ruth Martin thrust herself into bringing life back to the couple’s downtown Conroe building, Martin’s Hall, as a tribute to her late husband.
Affectionately known as “Jay Ross,” Ruth’s husband was a fourth-generation Conroe resident who was greatly involved with the community, having served as a council member, mayor pro tem and a founding father of the Friends of Conroe, among several other titles.
The couple had purchased an 85-year-old, 6,000-square-foot building in downtown Conroe in 2004, where they allowed different city organizations to host events. However, the structure remained virtually untouched until December 2015.
“When Jay passed away, I asked the mayor if I could have his reception here because we still needed the right permits and a bathroom and things like that—they built my restrooms in three days,” Ruth said. “From there, I just started putting all my time into the building in honor of him.”
Although much of the building remains in its original 1930s state, during the past 18 months, Ruth has given the facility a new life with the addition of antique tables and chairs, couches, instruments-turned-light fixtures, a pool table, a fireplace, and Jay’s personal artwork and photographs.
It now serves as an event hall, which can host anything from birthday parties and class reunions to weddings and funeral receptions.
“When I first started this whole thing, it was like it was cheaper than a psychiatrist,” Ruth said. “We’ve had [the building] for so long and Jay really loved it, so when he passed and he left it to me, I just felt I should do this in his memory. I’ve been doing things that I thought Jay would’ve been proud of.”
Two additions to the hall include the back of a vintage Cadillac that has been converted into a bench and the wall separating the staircase from the main hall—which is made from wormwood taken from Jay’s grandparents’ home before it was demolished.
The venue has a beer and wine license and can provide those beverages at events. However, liquor has to be provided by the event hosts. The hall also has a kitchen for caterers to work in.
Although Martin’s Hall is open only by appointment or reservation today, Ruth said she aspires to host local live music at the venue on a weekly basis.
“Jay was very instrumental in bringing life back to downtown,” Ruth said. “He loved Conroe, and basically it was becoming a downtown full of attorneys—and Jay didn’t have a problem with that—but he wanted other things here too. He wanted to bring the music and arts to downtown.”
