LONGVIEW... Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau. (903) N. Center Street Longview, Texas 75601

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1 Re a lea s t Te xa s

2 LONGVIEW......is considered the hub of The Texas Lake Country for outdoor recreation and shopping. Longview is famous for its fabulous festivals, fine dining and historic downtown. Longview enjoys fantastic weather, natural beauty, grand traditions, colorful heritage and friendly folks who know how to enjoy life. Cultural activities bring a special spice to the city s lifestyle. The performing arts include an excellent symphony orchestra, community theater, ballet and regional opera all with annual production schedules. Longview is home to the East Texas Symphonic Band and ArtsView Children s Theatre. Longview boasts a world-class museum of fine art and fascinating historical museums. Every summer starts off with one of the best all around street festivals in the state, AlleyFest, followed by the Great Texas Balloon Race. Longview is the hometown of Country Western star Neal McCoy and the Neal McCoy Fan Club. Neal has been named Entertainer of the Year two times by TNN / Music City News in 1998 & In 2005, Neal received the ACM / Home Depot Humanitarian Award for his work with the East Texas Angel Network. Neal s annual benefit concert for ETAN includes several celebrity friends and raises money to help families of children with serious illnesses. From Longview, you can venture out to bike our hills which are covered with pine and hardwood trees, you can water-ski our lakes or fish for that big catch. Come enjoy the arts, experience history and shop for authentic antiques, arts, crafts and original pottery. Whatever your reason, we re sure that in Longview you will get The Best View of the Texas Lake Country! Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau Drop in, call or visit our award-winning website for more information. 410 N. Center Street Longview, Texas (903) Photo by: David James Photography WELCOME TO LONGVIEW ACTIVITIES THE ARTS EVENTS GUIDE LOCATION MAP HISTORIC DOWNTOWN SHOPPING DINING LODGING TRAVEL INFORMATION

3 ACTIVITIES GOLF COURSES ALPINE TARGET GOLF CENTER Divine Nine - Lighted Par 3 Course and Driving Range Open 7 days a week Alpine Road (just North of Loop 281) ALPINE GOLF CLUB-LONGVIEW 18 holes - Par 70 for men and women Open 7 days a week FM 2208 / Smelley Road LONGVIEW COUNTRY CLUB 18 holes - Par 70 for men 72 for women Open 7 days a week TX Hwy. 42 WOOD HOLLOW GOLF CLUB 18 holes - Par 70 for men and women Open 7 days a week GOLF 5121 N. McCann Road BOWLING CENTERS LONGVIEW LANES 32 Lanes; Automatic scoring; Pro shop N. Spur 63 OIL BOWL LANES 32 Lanes; Automatic scoring; Pro shop W. Cotton Street MOVIE THEATERS CARMIKE Tall Pines Road (behind Longview Mall) HOLLYWOOD STADIUM FILM (3456) 3070 N. Eastman Road NORTH LOOP 6 (DISCOUNT) Judson Road TTT MOVIES 9 (DISCOUNT) TX Hwy. 31 at Jaycee Drive AMUSEMENT CENTERS ARCADE McCann Road Longview Mall FASTRACK Slick Track Go-Cart Racing Open weekends; other times with group reservations W. Marshall Avenue KIDS STATION Indoor Playground designed for kids 14 years and younger Pine Tree Road at Loop 281 KIDSVIEW DOOR PLAYGROUND H.G. Mosley & FM 1845 LONGVIEW PAINTBALL SPORTS Store Location: 2000 N. Eastman Road Field Location: N. Pine Tree Road (1-1/2 miles past George Ritchey Road) PUTT-PUTT GOLF & GAMES Bill Owens Parkway at Loop 281 ATHLETIC & FITNESS CENTERS THE COURT HOUSE ATHLETIC CLUB Courthouse Drive at N.W. Loop 281 PARKE WAY FAMILY FITNESS Open 7 Days a Week Bill Owens Parkway PHYSICAL IMPACT GYM & FITNESS N. US Hwy. 259 SKATING CENTERS SKATEPLEX & SKATE PARK H.G. Mosley (next to Kidsview)

4 THE ARTS Of the various activities to enjoy in Longview, high on the list is the arts. In addition to our downtown Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Longview s many offerings of performing arts are assets of which our city is certainly proud. ARTSVIEW CHILDREN S THEATRE ArtsView Children s Theatre is a progressive theatre arts program with several productions put on throughout the year. Casts consist of children and youth. 313 W. Tyler Street PO Box 4435 Longview, Texas LONGVIEW BALLET THEATRE Longview Ballet Theatre is a group of innovative and dedicated people with a love and passion for the art of classical dance N. Third Street Longview, Texas EAST TEXAS SYMPHONIC BAND East Texas Symphonic Band is made up of volunteer musicians who provide free concerts to the East Texas community. Formal and informal celebrations of the people s music are presented annually. PO Box 251 Longview, Texas LONGVIEW SYMPHONY Our professional Longview Symphony hosts five major concerts and a chamber music concert each season and December brings the highly popular Night in Old Vienna. Advanced reservations are suggested. PO Box 1825 Longview, Texas LONGVIEW COMMUNITY THEATRE The Longview Community Theatre presents four outstanding performances each year. PO Box 1854 Longview, Texas OPERA EAST TEXAS Opera East Texas is a year round company with a blended national and local cast and crew of over fifty. Fully professional orchestra performances are held in early June. 400 N. Second Street Longview, Texas LONGVIEW MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Longview Museum of Fine Arts originated in 1958 and exhibits six shows per year, including works from artists from Texas and the Southwest, as well as international artists. The museum houses a collection of over 300 pieces featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, woodblock, pottery and etchings. 215 E. Tyler Street PO Box 3484 Longview, Texas ARTS EAST TEXAS Arts East Texas is a regional collaboration of the arts dedicated to enriching the cultural experience of persons residing in and visiting Longview. For more information, please call (903) or find links to these organizations on our website at:

5 SHOPPING You really can shop til you drop in Longview, the region s leading destination for retail shopping. Whether browsing the beautiful historical district or one of the city s 20 shopping centers (including Longview Mall), you re certain to find just what you re looking for. Downtown with Longview s landmark clock tower on a beautifully renovated Tyler Street features antique shops, boutiques, crafter malls, restaurants, coffee shops...and much more. Among popular downtown shopping destinations are York Antiques and Martin s (women s clothing). The Bargain Box, just north of downtown, is a one-of-a-kind store featuring Neiman Marcus merchandise at significant discounts. Spanning North Loop 281, from Pine Tree Road to Eastman Road, are unique shops and stores including such recognized brands as Hobby Lobby and Ross Dress for Less. With more than 70 stores, Longview Mall s impressive lineup of retailers includes Dillard s, J.C. Penney, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, The Buckle, Christopher & Banks, Finish Line, Journey s, Kirkland s, S&K Men s Wear and Victoria s Secret. A favorite locally owned business is Barron s, featuring fine gifts, books, cards and a quaint bistro café. Other fine, select shops include Sassy Pan, L&L Gallery (both located in The Village shopping center in the large picture at top) and Dressin Gaudy, a popular women s accessory and clothing store. Finally, don t miss Ellis Pottery for that unique décor for your home or business. From selection to price, you ll find shopping a real pleasure in Longview!

6 DINING ASIAN Cafe China 414 W. Loop 281, Ste Canton Restaurant 2010 E. Marshall Ave Chen s Garden 1021 McCann Rd China King 440 W. Loop Hunan Chinese Restaurant 420 N. High St Lotus Inn 1405 W. Loop Magic China 1903 Gilmer Rd Shogun of Japan 1313 W. Loop Taste of Asia 2026 W. Loop Vietnamese Restaurant 417 N. High St BAKERIES Golden Flake Bakery 894 Pine Tree Rd Kern s Bake Shop 1009 E. Marshall Ave The Butcher Shop 102 Lehigh St BAR & GRILL Fritz s Restaurant 105 Ruthlynn Dr Gerald s 106 E. Tyler St Leon s Saloon & Steakhouse 2112 S. Eastman Rd McCann Street Grill 1217 McCann Rd Memphis Bar & Grill 203 N. Spur BARBECUE Big Dave s Barbeque 4412 N. Hwy Big Tom s Barbeque 2602 Estes Parkway Bodacious Barbecue (4 locations) 904 N. 6th St S. Mobberly Ave W. Marshall Ave N.W. Loop Carter s Barbecue 519 S. Eastman Rd King s Bar-B-Q 3012 Marshall Ave BISTROS & CAFES Books A Million 422 W. Loop Café Barron s 405 W. Loop Café Monaco 408A N. Spur Crafter s Kitchen 116 W. Tyler St Deb s Downtown Café 103 W. Tyler St Starbucks 407 W. Loop The Perfect Blend 707 E. Marshall Ave Tyler Street Bistro 102 E. Tyler St CAFETERIAS Luby s 2802 Tuttle CAJUN & CREOLE Dudley s Cajun Café 1601 E. Marshall Ave W. Loop DELIS Heartland Ham Co McCann Rd Jason s Deli 103 W. Loop McAlister s Deli 2804 Judson Rd Tree Frog Deli 1811A Judson Rd FAMILY DINING Applebee s 101 W. Loop Applewoods 3119 Estes Pkwy Brenda s Good Eats 1809 W. Loop Butcher Shop 102 Lehigh St Cheddar s 3074 N. Eastman Rd Chili s 2800 Judson Rd Cotton Patch 1228 McCann Rd IHOP 203 W. Loop Jucy s Hamburgers 2701 N. Eastman Rd W. Marshall Ave Waffle House 318 E. Loop Estes Pkwy Wing Stop 1723 W. Loop ICE CREAM Baskin-Robbins 3302 N. 4th St Marble Slab Creamery 103 W. Loop Shake s Frozen Custard 3312 N. 4th St TCBY 2601 Judson Rd ITALIAN Fazoli s 2407 Judson Rd Italian Gardens 1809 W. Loop Johnny Carino s Country Italian 411B E. Loop Olive Garden 104 W. Loop MEXICAN Amigo s Buffet 2511 Judson Rd Carlito s 2517 Judson Rd Casa Ole 280 N. Spur W. Loop El Rincon 1709 S. Mobberly Ave El Sombrero 1442 McCann Rd El Taquito 1010 S. Mobberly Ave Gonzalo s 1625 W. Loop Jalapeno Tree 508 N. Eastman Rd Little Mexico 1301 McCann Rd Lupe s (3 locations) 3022 Estes Pkwy Pine Tree Rd E. Marshall Ave Papacita s 305 W. Loop Posado s 110 Triple Creek Taco San Luis 212 N. Fredonia St Tacos Y Mariscos El Cancun 1405 S. High St Tele s 212 E. Marshall Ave PIZZA Chuck E Cheese 312 W. Loop CiCi s 2503 Judson Rd Domino s Pizza 315 W. Marshall Ave Gilmer Rd Double Dave s Pizzaworks 310 E. Loop Joe s Pizza Pasta & Subs 411 N. Spur Little Caesar s 1809 W. Loop Mazzio s 2108 Gilmer Rd Papa John s 905 E. Marshall Ave C W. Loop Pietro Pizzeria & Café 2418 Gilmer Rd Pizza Hut (4 locations) 2330 Judson Rd A Estes Pkwy E. Marshall Ave Gilmer Rd Pizza King 1100 E. Marshall Ave SANDWICHES Jack s Natural Foods (3 locations) 1614 Judson Rd Gilmer Rd E. Loop Roly Poly 414 W. Loop E. Marshall Ave Subway (6 locations) 101 E. Marshall Ave N. Eastman Rd Estes Pkwy E. Marshall Ave McCann Rd Gilmer Rd SEAFOOD Catfish King (3 locations) 1700 Judson Rd S. Mobberly Ave Toler Rd Fisherman s Market 116F Johnston Joey s Seafood & Grill 2609 Judson Rd Johnny Cace s 1501 E. Marshall Ave Red Lobster 3515 McCann Rd STEAK HOUSES Outback Steakhouse 501 E. Loop Oxford Street 421 N. Spur Ryan s Family Steak House 301 E. Loop Texas Roadhouse 320 E. Loop

7 LODGING RATE LODGING CONF. EXERCISE PETS FREE ROOM ROOM POOL WELCOME BREAKFAST KITCHEN RATE American Thrifty Inn 2015 E. Marshall Ave $ Fax: Best Western 310 E. Loop $$$ Fax: Comfort Suites 3307 N. Fourth St $$$ Fax: IN Contessa Inn 717 Hwy $$ Fax: Days Inn All Suites 3103 Estes Parkway $$ Fax: Economy Inn $ Elm Brook Inn 3119 Estes Parkway $$$ Fax: IN Executive Inn and Suites 1905 E. Marshall Ave $ Fax: Express Inn 3120 Estes Parkway ECONO $ Fax: Fairfield Inn By Marriott 3305 N. Fourth St $$$ Fax: IN Guest Inn 605 N. Access Rd $$ Fax: Hampton Inn 112 S. Access Rd HAMPTON $$$ Fax: Holiday Inn Express I S. Access Rd $$$ Fax: Holiday Inn Express North 300 Tuttle Circle $$$ Fax: IN CONF. EXERCISE PETS FREE ROOM ROOM POOL WELCOME BREAKFAST KITCHEN Homewood Suites by Hilton 205 N. Spur Hwy $$$$ Fax: LaQuinta Inn $$$ Fax: Majestic Inn $$ Fax: MicroTel Inn & Suites $$ Fax: Motel MOTEL6 $ Fax: Park Ridge Inn $$ Fax: Parkview Inn & Suites $$ Fax: Quality Inn $$ Fax: Ramada Limited Suites $$ Fax: Stratford House Inn $$ Fax: Super 8 Motel I $$ Fax: Wingate Inn $$$ Fax: S. Access Rd E. Marshall Ave. 803 N. Access Rd. 110 S. Access Rd E. Marshall Ave N. Eastman Rd. 203 N. Spur Hwy Spur Estes I S. Eastman Rd. 431 NE Loop 281 For a more detailed listing and to make a reservation on-line: Rack Rate Range: $ = Under $40; $$ = $40-$59; $$$ = $60-89; $$$$ = Over $90 This information is provided by each hotel and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Rates are subject to change. IN

8 Amarillo OKLAHOMA ARKANSAS El Paso 287 Wichita Falls Midland Odessa Austin San Antonio Laredo Corpus Christi Denison Dallas Ft. Worth Tyler Waco Houston Texarkana Shreveport Marshall Nacogdoches Beaumont LOUISIANA Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau a division of Longview Partnership Fax: (903) N. Center Street Longview, TX Abilene Amarillo Austin Beaumont Big Bend Corpus Christi Dallas Del Rio (Langtry ) Denison El Paso Fort Worth Gainesville Harlingen (903) MILES TO LONGVIEW Houston Laredo Odessa Orange Paris San Angelo San Antonio Shreveport, LA...65 Texarkana...88 Tyler...36 Waco Waskom...38 Wichita Falls Texas Travel Information Centers Special thanks to the following photographers: Paul Anderson, David James (Neal McCoy Fan Club), Pam Rowell & Sam Smead.

9 EVENTS WINTER / SPRING BOAT RV & CAMPING EXPO Mid-January Outdoor enthusiasts flock to this exciting 60,000 square foot show featuring 40 plus exhibitors showing off the newest in watercraft, recreational vehicles, fishing and camping accessories. The youngsters can fish in the popular trout tank. EAST TEXAS HOME SHOW Early February Looking for new, exciting ideas for your home? The East Texas Home Builders Association s annual home products exposition offers remodeling and decorating displays for homes inside and out. FREEZE YOUR FANNY BIKE TOUR First Saturday in February This fun bicycle tour and run takes place no matter how cold the weather. Participants willingly freeze their fannies for a great cause...the Special Olympics. ZONTA ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE First Weekend in March Thousands of visitors can find those one-of-a-kind collectibles at this major antiquing-circuit show featuring 50 plus quality dealers. LONGVIEW MODEL TRAIN SHOW First Weekend in March Trains and tracks everywhere! Buy, sell or trade for that rare piece for your collection at this event sporting train layouts and dealer displays. LONGVIEW PRCA RODEO April Top pro cowboys and cowgirls perform at this non-stop action rodeo hosted by Longview Rotary Clubs at Maude Cobb Activity Complex. CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION May The growing Hispanic community of Longview celebrates this Mexican fiesta day with dances and other special activities. SUMMER ALLEYFEST First Weekend in June This premier East Texas street festival kicks off the summer with live music from high-energy entertainers, arts, crafts, food, fun runs and children's activities in downtown Longview. AlleyFest has something for everybody! TEXAS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL June & July One of the nation s most respected Shakespeare festivals is brought to East Texas each summer by Kilgore College and area sponsors. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION & DANCE June A parade, dance and rodeo are among the many fun activities planned each year for this celebration. FIREWORKS FESTIVAL & FREEDOM CELEBRATION Early July A gigantic fireworks show (with patriotic music) and special activities bring thousands to the Longview Fairgrounds each Independence Day. GREAT TEXAS BALLOON RACE Mid-July Longview (official Balloon Capital of Texas ) hosts this three-day world-class balloon competition with 80-plus sport and special-shapes balloons, concerts, food and exhibits. An annual crowd favorite is the event s balloon glow. KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW July Purebred dogs attract enthusiasts from across the U.S. as Longview Kennel Club conducts this American Kennel Club show. GREGG COUNTY FAIR Mid-September The Longview Jaycees present a week-long, old-fashioned country fair with carnival rides, games, exhibits...and plenty of food! FALL / WINTER NEAL MCCOY S EAST TEXAS ANGEL NETWORK BENEFIT CONCERT Late September / Early October Country singer (and Longview resident) Neal McCoy and his celebrity friends give this concert to raise money which provides assistance to children with serious illnesses. HARVEST FEST & LIVESTOCK SHOW Late October The largest show of its kind in East Texas, this Texas Cooperative Extension Office junior livestock show, judging and sale is the highlight of the year for area 4H and FFA members. PRELUDE CHRISTMAS CORNER Mid-November This holiday boutique shopping event with 120 vendors, food and entertainment benefits the Longview Symphony Orchestra. CHRISTMAS AT THE COURTHOUSE Thanksgiving through December Longview ushers in the holiday season with musical entertainment on the lighted courthouse lawn, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, wagon rides and refreshments. DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE First Thursday in December With over 125 entries, the area s biggest holiday parade features floats decorated to reflect the year s special theme. LIVING HISTORY CHRISTMAS First Saturday in December Actors dress in period clothing and take their places among the Gregg County Historical Museum s exhibits. Also popular is the HO modeltrain display that reminds event-goers of Christmases past. For more information on these events, please visit our website at:

10 MOBBERLY AVE. McCANN RD. LONGVIEW AREA MAP GOLF COURSES j1 WOOD HOLLOW GOLF CLUB 5121 N. McCann Rd j2 ALPINE GOLF CLUB FM 2208 & Smelley Rd j3 ALPINE TARGET 9-HOLE LIGHTED 2695 Alpine Rd HOSPITALS 1 GOOD SHEPHERD MEDICAL CENTER 700 E. Marshall Ave LONGVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 2901 N. Fourth St PUBLIC SCHOOLS LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL E. Tomlinson (Loop 281) 2 FOSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL S. Green St. JUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 4 Judson Rd. at Seven Pines Rd. PINE TREE HIGH SCHOOL W. Fairmont St FOREST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL 1515 Lake Dr. PINE TREE JR. HIGH SCHOOL 2100 NW Loop 281 PINE TREE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1701 Pine Tree Rd. SPRING HILL SCHOOLS 3101 Spring Hill Rd. HIGHER EDUCATION LONGVIEW UNIVERSITY CENTER N. Eastman Rd. Hwy. 259 N. 2 3 KILGORE COLLEGE - LONGVIEW CAMPUS 300 S. High St. LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. SA AKIN PARK 414 Delwood Dr. SB BROUGHTON PARK 801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. SC CARGILL LONG PARK E. Marshall Ave. & Hollybrook Dr. SD GUTHRIE/ROTARY PARK Tupelo Dr. & Meadowbrook SE HINSLEY PARK 3101 N. US Hwy. 259 SF INGRAM PARK 10th St. at Pine St. SG JULIEANNA PARK 906 Reel Rd. SH LOIS JACKSON PARK Bill Owens Pkwy. at Jenny St. SI MCWHORTER PARK Toler Rd. at NW Loop 281 SJ ROLLINS PARK A AMTRAK TRAIN DEPOT Pacific & S. Mobberly Ave. B GREYHOUND BUS DEPOT First St. & Magrill St. EAST TEXAS C REGIONAL AIRPORT TX Hwy. 322 D LONGVIEW CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 410 N. Center St. PARKS 705 Ethyl St. SK STAMPER PARK Fair St. at Boyd St. SL TEAGUE PARK American Legion Blvd. SM TIMPSON PARK 500 Timpson St. SN WILLOW PARK 301 E. Birdsong St. SO LONGVIEW SWIM CENTER 1001 W. Fairmont St. SP LEAR SPORTS COM- PLEX H.G. Mosley Pkwy. & FM 1845 SQ KIDSVIEW - A UNIQUE FAMILY PLAYGROUND H.G. Mosley Pkwy. & FM 1845 SR NEAL MCCOY PLAY- GROUND Restoration Rd. off George Richey Rd. POINTS OF INTEREST LONGVIEW MALL E Loop 281 at McCann Rd. F THE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER Judson Rd. & Hollybrook Dr. G J.R. CURTIS GARDEN FOR THE BLIND, MAUDE COBB ACTIV- ITY CENTER, FAIR- GROUNDS & RODEO ARENA 100 Grand Blvd.?SR 7 8 PINE TREE RD. Gilmer (23 Mi.) Lake Fork (60 Mi.) HARRISON RD. REEL RD.?SG SC GILMER RD.?SI FAIRMONT ST. 281 W. MARSHALL AVE. Gladewater (13 Mi.) Antique Capital of E. Texas N Dallas (125 Mi.) Kilgore (13 Mi.) E.T. Oil Museum Rangerette Showcase SC SC 6 5 W. HAWKINS PKWY.?SO?SP&Q GILMER RD. W. COTTON ST. 322 C H.G. MOSLEY PKWY. 281 LAKE LAMOND RD.?j1 SC SC SC E SC BILL OWENS PKWY. JAYCEE DR.?SH FM G EAST TEXAS REGIONAL AIRPORT SPUR 63 4 SC SC JUDSON RD. JOHNSTON ST. SC SC?SK?SD McCANN HIGH ST. 1 F?SC 281?j3??h2?j2 HOLLYBROOK DR. SMELLEY RD. DELWOOD DR. SC?SA EDEN DR. 2 D 3 GREEN ST.?SE B SC FOURTH ST.?SM?SN SC SC PEGUES WHALEY ST. YOUNG ST. AM. LEGION BLVD. BIRDSONG ST. ESTES PKWY. Lake O The Pines (25 Mi.)?SF SC?SL??h1 A M. L. KING BLVD. Carthage (32 Mi.) Tex Ritter Museum ALPINE?SC?SB PITTMAN ST.?SJ 149 EASTMAN RD. FM 2208 FM 2879 PAGE RD. E. MARSHALL AVE. E. COTTON ST. SC FM 2208 Marshall (23 Mi.) Jefferson (39 Mi.) Antique Shops Caddo Lake (47 Mi.) INDUSTRIAL BLVD. GUM SPRINGS RD. COUNTRY CLUB RD. Shreveport, LA. Bossier City, LA. (60 Mi.) Louisiana Downs Riverboat Gambling SHOPPING CENTER MOVIE THEATER BOWLING ALLEY

11 DOWNTOWN HEART OF OUR HERITAGE Many key events and discoveries shaped Longview s history. What started out as a sleepy farming community, became a bustling urban area overnight twice. DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW ONE HUNDRED ACRES OF HERITAGE US HWY. 80 E. MARSHALL AVE. W. WHALEY ST. W. METHVIN ST. W. TYLER ST. W. COTTON ST. E SH ST. S. HIGH ST. COLLEGE AVE. S. CENTER ST. N. HIGH ST. BANK ALLEY Follow the markers on the map above and learn how Longview s destiny was so much in the hands of these events. A Gregg County Historical Museum B Longview Museum of Fine Arts C Heritage Plaza D Gregg County Courthouse E City of Longview Offices and Public Library F Visitor Information Gregg Co. Court House S. FREDONIA ST. N. CENTER ST. D F A Visitor Information U.S. P.O. B S. GREEN ST. N. FREDONIA ST. C N. GREEN ST. E. METHVIN ST. E. TYLER ST. E. COTTON ST. FIRST ST. E. WHALEY 1 One Hundred Acres of Heritage Kelly Plow Company 3 Timber - The First Industry 4 King Cotton 5 First Baptist Church 6 When Mule Power Moved People 7 Then Came the Railroad 8 The Discovery Wells 9 From Subsistence to Cash Crops 10 Banking - The Final Ingredient Oil and the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field was the most defining event in the history of Longview and the surrounding area. Although the region had experienced explosive growth with the coming of the railroad back in the 1870s, the sudden influx of population and expansion of business 75 years ago because of oil was unparalled. Discovery of oil in East Texas was a long-held dream of entrepreneurs as early as But it wasn t until October 3, 1930, that wildcatter Columbus Marion Dad Joiner brought in the first well, the Daisy Bradford No. 3, just outside of Henderson. Two other oil wells soon followed, one near Kilgore and one on a site now within the city limits of Longview. These weren t isolated pockets of oil. Incredibly, the East Texas Oil Field was a continuous black giant that stretched 45 miles long and 3 to 12 miles wide. It covered 140,000 acres and proved to be the largest known oil field in the world. Because of oil, Longview played a dramatic role in the early years of World War II. German U-boats were crippling the Allied war effort by sinking oil tankers from Texas bound for the East Coast. To meet that challenge, the industry built the Big Inch pipeline. Beginning in Longview and running 1,400 miles to the East Coast, the two-foot-diameter Big Inch was completed in July 1943 and delivered 300,000 barrels of oil each day to East Coast refineries. Famed Texas oilman H.L. Hunt said, The Allies floated to victory on a sea of East Texas crude. Longview commemorates these and other historical events at Heritage Plaza and the newly renovated Tyler Street, both in downtown Longview. The Tyler and Center street intersection (seen in the large photo at top) is the town s historical center. Heritage Plaza was completed in 2000 on the site where one of Conrad Hilton s first hotels once stood. The historic brick walls tell the story of Gregg County and Longview during its first one-hundred years ( ). Heritage Plaza has become a popular year-round outdoor gathering spot for various community events.