Why Longview
Longview is a prominent hub city located in Northeast Texas, serving as the county seat of Gregg County, with a small section extending into neighboring Harrison County to the east. Positioned just north of the Sabine River and the city of Kilgore, and bordered to the west by White Oak, Longview covers a total area of more than 56 square miles. It forms the core of a broader metropolitan statistical area comprising Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk counties. The city serves as a regional crossroads where Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 80, and U.S. Highway 259 converge.
The settlement was established in 1869 when landowner O.H. Methvin, Sr. sold 100 acres to the Southern Pacific Railroad for a single dollar, followed by an additional 100 acres for $500 in gold, to bring rail service to his property. Railroad surveyors coined the city's name upon admiring the scene from Methvin's porch. Incorporated in 1871, Longview became the Gregg County seat in 1873. Key historical moments include an 1894 bank robbery by Bill Dalton and his posse, a 1919 race riot, and the construction of the Big Inch pipeline in 1942. Between 1943 and 1945, this record-length pipeline moved over 261 million barrels of crude oil to the East Coast to support the American effort in World War II.
Cultural attractions are centered around a 320-acre designated downtown cultural district, which contains historic structures, museums, public parks, dining venues, live music, and theater space. The Gregg County Historical Museum displays artifacts from the region's past, including a dedicated exhibit situated inside the very bank vault that was robbed in 1894. Community heritage is also marked by annual Juneteenth events celebrating African American emancipation, a tradition maintained locally since 1985. Library facilities in the city include a main location and the Broughton Branch.
Outdoor opportunities and natural scenery are available at the 29-acre Longview Arboretum and Nature Center. Additionally, the municipality features a multi-use pathway system that connects up to 10 continuous miles of walking and biking trails. Longview is also a recognized regional educational center, housing LeTourneau University, a Kilgore College campus, and the University of Texas at Tyler's Longview University Center. Economically, the city accommodates major facilities for companies such as Eastman Chemical, Komatsu Mining, and Trinity Rail Group.
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