Longview TX is a vibrant business center
Longview TX is 121 miles east of Dallas. The county seat is located in Gregg County. Longview is a center for commerce and industry in eastern Gregg and west Harrison counties.
Founded in 1871,the city got its name from the view surveyors had of Rock Hill near the town site. The community reflects its roots in railroad and oil patch history,while keeping an eye to the future.
History
Historically,Longview has been the established business center and governmental seat of Gregg County. During the oil boom of the 1930’s the town grew into a major industrial,commercial and transportation hub for East Texas.
The town,located along the Texas & Pacific Railroad,developed around the downtown depot and Longview Junction. Between the two,the shortest mule drawn street railway in the United States operated.
The first municipal waterworks and sanitary sewer system were installed in 1904. Gabriel Augustus Bodenheim,known as “Bodie,” served as mayor from 1904 to 1916 and again from 1918 to 1920. During his term as mayor,the city was able to sell city-improvement bonds.
The Mary Lee Robbins Genealogy & Local History Room contains many resources to help you with your family history research,including microfilm records of censuses,city directories,and cemetery records. The Library has a large collection of books on local history and genealogy. You can contact a librarian to help you with your research.
Arts & Culture
Longview’s history is rich with arts and culture. The local theaters and museums offer a wealth of information about the past. There is also a large selection of restaurants that serve both breakfast and lunch.
The city has a rich industrial heritage that dates back to the 1930’s when cotton farming and cattle ranching were major industries in the region. During this period,inventor and entrepreneur R. G. LeTourneau established a large manufacturing facility for earth-moving equipment in the region and founded LeTourneau Technical Institute later becoming LeTourneau University.
Large organizations such as the Longview Museum of Fine Art,Chalk Hill Educational Media,Winnsboro Center for the Arts,Michelson Museum of Art and the LeTourneau University Belcher Center earn the majority of revenues among Longview arts,culture and humanities nonprofits. ArtWalk Longview is one of the many events that are held in the community. This is a self-guided,free tour of downtown businesses that features art exhibits and music.
Food & Drink
Longview offers a vibrant business climate with an experienced work-ready workforce,robust infrastructure and abundant resources. Major companies like automotive manufacturer Dana Corporation and chemical maker Eastman Chemical demonstrate the diverse industry strengths of this region.
Enjoy mesquite-grilled fajitas and ice cold margaritas at On The Border in Longview. This restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by the locals and is a must-try for anyone visiting this Texas city.
Pizza King is a nationally known and loved chain. This Longview location boasts over 270 reviews online and a 4-star review. Take-n-bake is also available for those who like their pizza hot.
Amtrak passenger rail service on the Texas Eagle stops in downtown Longview each morning and evening on its route between Chicago and San Antonio. This bustling station serves the residents of Longview,along with those of surrounding cities like Nacogdoches,Lufkin and Houston. SecurCare Self-Storage has six locations in the area,providing clean and affordable storage units to Longview residents.
Shopping & Nightlife
Every Texas town has something unique about it. Poteet has strawberries,Mission has citrus,and Longview has hot-air balloons. A local dentist named Bill Bussey started the annual Great Texas Balloon Race in 1978,which draws visitors from all over the state. Balloon Adventures USA,a company owned by Bill Bussey,offers the opportunity to ride in a blimp or admire them from ground level.
The city’s downtown area has experienced a boom,with boutique shops like the 504,a six-thousand-square-foot vintage marketplace that brings in new inventory daily. Melas Clothing Company has everything from hardcover books to Mexican handbags. Walker Manor Bed & Breakfast is a three-story neoclassical house where you can live out your Downton Abbey dreams.