Uniquely longview 2016

UNIQ UELY LONGVI EW U N IQU E LY L ONGV I E W 2 016

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Longview Chamber of Commerce

Welcome.

410 N. Center St. Longview, TX 75601 903-237-4000 Fax 903-237-4049 www.longviewchamber.com 2 0 1 6 B OA R D OF DIRECTORS James Barron Barron’s Kara Bolster STEMCO Pat Britton

Eastman Chemical Company Ken Cunningham Good Shepherd Health System Roy Eon Texas Bank and Trust Kelly Hall Longview Chamber of Commerce

There is no place like Longview. Like many of our residents, I was blessed enough to grow up in this fine community. After moving away to complete my surgical training, I could have chosen anywhere to raise my family; but no place could ever be “home” in my heart, like Longview.

The City of Longview welcomes you with open arms. Whether you are new to Longview or have been here a while, a trip around our town will show you that we are growing. This is an exciting time for us! Take a look around you – enjoy the sweeping pine trees, the warmth from our residents, the great family atmosphere, parks, trails and restaurants.

Longview’s future is bright. Using input from residents, our city recently adopted the “Longview Comprehensive Plan” as a long-term strategic plan that boldly sets a vision for the next 15-20 years. This Comprehensive Plan detailed projects our residents desire such as an events center, urban downtown lifestyle and expanding our trail system. This document is a great long term plan, but it is my goal to implement as much of these wishes as possible in the next 5 years.

Our quality of life has created a hearty environment for existing businesses to thrive, new businesses to open, and residents to enjoy. We hope you will join us and fall in love with Longview like many of us have.

Andy Mack

Mayor, City of Longview

David Hayes Hayes RV Center

There is no more exciting time in the future of Longview than the present. We are blessed to live in a City in which the citizens work cooperatively alongside our public officials, businesses and various interest groups to make this a wonderful place to live, work and raise our families. With the City’s adoption of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Longview, as well as the strategic planning on the part of LEDCO and the Longview Chamber of Commerce, we are poised to take important steps toward moving Longview forward to even greater accomplishments.

Keith Honey AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company Ron Hutchison Network IP / Network Enhanced Telecom, LLP Roger Johnson Texas Office Leasing Wade Johnson Johnson & Pace, Inc. Brett Lindig SYSCO Food Services, LLC Sam Neale AAON Coil Products, Inc. Rodney Overman Henry & Peters, P.C. Dana Parr Copeland Insurance Group Ron Sones LeTourneau University Brad Tidwell Citizens National Bank Meredith Todd R. Lacy Services, LTD

2016 APPOINTED DIRECTORS

The Chamber recently organized a follow-up intercity trip to Greenville, South Carolina to take a deeper dive into how this community of similar size is executing on their long-range planning. This trip was well attended by local public officials, business leaders, and representatives from several school districts and charitable organizations.

It is exciting to see what vision, long-term planning and collaboration can accomplish when focused on a comprehensive plan such as the one adopted this year by the City of Longview. To be successful, this effort should be truly collaborative and comprehensive with involvement from all stakeholders within our community, from local leaders of businesses of all sizes, local government officials, educational institutions, charities and providers of social services. Remember, it is not about overnight transformation, but rather, the deliberate, incremental and sustained progress toward common goals through public-private partnerships. We have already accomplished much, but each of you play an integral role in setting the vision for the future and doing the hard work that it takes to reach these goals.

It has been twelve years since my wife and I made the decision to move from Fort Worth. I had spent the previous six years regularly “visiting” Longview on business and fell in love with the City. What a wonderful decision that has been for my family.

Longview is blessed with natural beauty, as well as excellent schools, healthcare and a growing economy. We are fortunate to have City and County leaders who promote a culture of support for the local business community and do what it takes to attract new business and talent to the area. However, it is the people of Longview that make it special. It is the pride we take in our community and our spirit of collaboration and cooperation that make us “Uniquely Longview.”

Ken Cunningham

Chairman, Longview Chamber of Commerce

Judge Becky Simpson U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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contents

PUBLISHER

Uniquely Longview is published annually by Hudson Graphics, Inc. and distributed by the Longview Chamber of Commerce, 410 N. Center St. • Longview, TX 75601 Copyright © 2016 by Hudson Graphics, Inc. 611 S. Mobberly • PO Box 7010 Longview, TX 75607 • 903-758-1773 www.hudsonprint.com

16 CELEBRATING A CENTURY: YOUR LONGVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

40 THE LONG VIEW: CITY OF LONGVIEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

PRESIDENT Steve Cartwright

54 DIAGNOSIS: EXCELLENT

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Robert Mitchell

LONGVIEW’S VIBRANT MEDICAL COMMUNITY HAS LONG BEEN PART OF THE STORY

PRODUCTION MANAGER Bryan Boyd

68 LAKES HAVE LONG BEEN

EDITOR Jeri Boyd PRODUCTION STAFF Jackie Barton Fernando Castillo Jaime Castillo Anita Chapman Jill Clevenger Kathy Falconer Starr Furnish Paul Gerlach John Harton Mary Hernandez J. D. Knight Kaylen Medlin Kyle Nations Rebecca Offield Wendy Pairsh Eve Pinson Celia Taylor Tammy Vaughn MARKETING/SALES Tim Shaughnessy FEATURE WRITER Kimberly Fish

LONGVIEW’S PASSION

Welcome 7 Advertisers 11

Arts & Events 78

City Map 94

Longview United 96

Education Guide 98

on the cover We would like to recognize and thank the Gregg County Historical Museum for allowing us to feature images from their archives in this edition of Uniquely Longview.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

104 W. Methvin Longview, TX 75601 • 903-753-2098 www.forbesbutler.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Butler GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Holly Forbes Jim Tilley Abbey Tyson ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Shelly Butler PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Anderson Bryan Boyd Tammy Cromer-Campbell Sam Smead Jim Tilley (additional photo credits listed with images) U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Building Excellence With Integrity Since 2001.

9 0 3 - 2 3 8 - 3 7 6 0 • W W W. D J J O H N S O N B U I L D E R S . C O M

Designing your vision. Building your dreams.

index

ADVERTISERS AnaLab.................................................................67 All Seasons Windows & Doors..............................91 Austin Bank..........................................................72 AutoBody Express................................................35 BancorpSouth........................................................3 BTH Bank.............................................................88 Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Miles Realty.....88 Casa Flora Flower Shop...........................back cover Citizens National Bank...........................................8 Community Bank..................................................38 Cynergy Technology..............................................51 Copeland Group....................................................66 Crosby Group - Lebus Manufacturing...................39 D & H Insurance Group.........................................65 D. J. Johnson Design & Build................................10 East Texas Baptist University.............................100 Eastman Chemical Company..................................2 Eastman Credit Union..........................................12 Express Employment Professionals......................74 First Bank & Trust East Texas..............................65 Forbes & Butler Visual Communications, Inc. .....15 Gans & Smith Insurance Agency..........................14 Good Shepherd Medical Center...................... 62-63

Gregg County Historical Museum.........................51 Guaranty Bank & Trust.........................................66 Heaton Eye Associates...........................inside back Hilton Garden Inn.................................................38 Horaney’s.............................................................35 Hospice of East Texas..........................................64 Hudson Printing & Graphic Design................. 92-93 Hugman Architecture & Construction...................34 Johnson & Pace....................................................89 Kilgore College ..................................................101 LeTourneau University........................................103 Longview Asphalt.................................................89 Longview, Certified Retirement Community.......104 Longview, City Council.........................................48 Longview, City Website Services..........................49 Longview, CitySend Service Request App.............49 Longview, Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.............76 Longview, Parks and Recreation..........................76 Longview Christian Church..................................36 Longview Economic Development Corp. ..............50 Longview Glass....................................................14 Longview Museum of Fine Arts.............................88 Longview Regional Medical Center.........................6

Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Complex..........77 Neiman Marcus....................................................75 Pliler International...............................................75 Prosperity Bank....................................................52 S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel & Performance Center.....89 St. Mary’s Catholic School....................................99 Sam Smead Photocreative...................................73 Scott Orthodontics.................................................5 Southside Bank......................................................4 Spring Hill State Bank..........................................90 STEMCO...............................................................13 Summer Meadows................................................91 Suzanne Cook & Company, LLC..............................1 TCC Photo/Gallery & Productions.........................37 Texana Bank.........................................................50 Texas Bank and Trust.............................inside front Texas Oncology - Longview Cancer Center...........53 Thieman & Associates, Inc...................................11 UT Tyler Longview Center...................................102 Vaca & Kirby Dental Group...................................64 Vision Source.......................................................67 Ward Agency........................................................39 Zeid Women’s Health Center................................52

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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It’s an EXTRAORDINARY difference you don’t find just anywhere!

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903.381.6500 800.999.2328 UniquelyAdTXECUforYouTeacher.indd 1

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.

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:55 PM

Newly Renovated

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STEMCO LP President Todd Anderson (left), and VP of Engineering Brad Stinson (right), at the STEMCO Open House ribbon cutting on October 30, 2015.

Investing in the Longview Community Since 1956, Longview has been home to STEMCO, a supplier of a diverse line of high performance systems and components to the commercial vehicle industry. STEMCO is proud to be a positive contributor to the local economy, and we are proud of our dedicated employees that make STEMCO an industry leader.

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Family-Owned Business OF the year

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MAIN OFFICE 1109 Judson Road Longview, Texas 903.757.4601 www.gans-smith.com OTHER LOCATIONS Carthage, Lufkin & Henderson

SINCE 1889 GARY BROWN, TYLER FRITZ, PHILIP SMITH, HANK SMITH, MICHAEL TUBB, DAVID MCWHORTER, KIRK HENDERSON

HOME AUTO BUSINESS LIFE HOSPITALIZATION •

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•

•

•

C O N GRAT UL AT I ONS T O OUR L O N G V I E W C HA M BE R OF C OM M E RC E ON 1 0 0 Y E A R S OF P ROM OT I NG & P ROT E C T I NG T H E I N T E RE S T S OF BUS I NE S S

F O R B E S & B U T L E R v i s u a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n s i n c 9 0 3 . 7 5 3 . 2 0 9 8 w w w . f o r b e s b u t l e r. c o m AWARD WINNING ADVERTISING & GRAPHIC DESIGN SINCE 2001

Celebrating a YOUR LONGVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

VIEW FINDER The center of Fredonia facing south through the intersection with Methvin.

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by Kimberly Fish

Cities are driven by engines. To fire on all cylinders, those engines need fuel generated by local business and a lubricant provided by a unifying agency, like a chamber of commerce. Ultimately, they need a destination. Longview’s Chamber of Commerce has been the oil driving Longview forward for 100 years and the journey has had its twists and turns, but there is no doubt that growing Longview into a regional leader has always been the ultimate destination.

“

Researching the story of the Chamber

involved reading through dusty meeting minutes, scanning through newspaper archives at the Library, digging through files at Gregg County Historical Museum, and interviewing dozens of local leaders to reminisce about the decades. Though grateful for everyone’s assistance and memories, I’m sure I didn’t get every detail just right. Any errors in this feature are entirely my own and not a reflection on the fine folks who helped me craft the story of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.”

– Kimberly

A group of Longview Boosters gathers at the train depot with Longview pennants in hand and “Watch Longview Grow” banners on the sides of train cars.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Longview’s Chamber of Commerce began in 1916 with clear goals: drive prosperity by promoting and protecting the city’s booming agricultural and timber business.

was considered the center of town;

effort to maintain growth and make sure

Tyler Street was the way out of town

everyone had what they needed to be

toward... Tyler; and Cotton Street was

successful.

Those were exciting days for the young

timber to the rest of the state of Texas,

city. Formed in 1870 as a delineated

which was growing rapidly to the west.

first large-scale manufacturers in the

block of ten streets, Whaley Street was

A chamber of commerce was needed to

state, occupied much of the downtown

originally called North Street and made

bind the local shopkeepers, merchants,

landscape. A Coca-Cola bottler set

the northern boundary; Center Street

and manufacturers into a cooperative

up shop in Longview, and Graham

the bustling business interchange. The advent of the Texas and Pacific railroad lines proved to be a game changer for the town, quickly turning Longview into a regional hub for shipping cotton and

Longview was known for its rolling hills, good climate and dense forests. Fruit farmers were successful in this area, and cotton was king. By the early 1900s the cattle industry was becoming more sustainable and Kelly Plow, one of the

VIEW FINDER Corner of Fredonia and Cotton facing north toward the intersection of Fredonia and Tyler.

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

KELLY PLOW, ONE OF THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE MANUFACTURERS IN THE STATE, OCCUPIED MUCH OF THE DOWNTOWN LANDSCAPE.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Manufacturing Company, the state’s

Commerce off the ground, and he

largest box and crate manufacturer

served as one of its first directors. With

was located here as well, as was

rumblings from Europe portending

the locally-famed Atkinson Pickling

World War I, and a malaria epidemic

Company. All made use of the rail lines

striking down the children of Longview, a

for statewide distribution. Because

coalition that could promote the city over

Longview’s population of 2,700 lagged

the obvious obstacles was one that could

behind Marshall and Jefferson, a

guide the future. Thankfully, that basic

cooperative association was needed

foundation of helping to strengthen and

to do more to promote Longview as an

ensure a vibrant business community

emerging business center and attract

has always been the mission of the

relocating families. Enter Evans Quest

Pegues-Hurst Motor Company traces

Chamber of Commerce.

its history to fueling those early travelers

Whitney, manager of Longview Ice and

extensive gardens, friendly service, and function as a hub for buying and shipping goods placed it at the top of most people’s travel destination.

coming to the town in Model A’s.

Light Company, and one of the first to

The Longview Chamber of Commerce’s

recognize the need for a downtown

footprint is seen not only within the

The Chamber worked extensively to

merchant’s association. A bespectacled

immediate business center, but in

spread good words through organized

man, Whitney and other leaders were

forming a regional impression as well.

booster trips to Dallas and Shreveport,

formative in getting the Chamber of

Longview at the turn of the 20th century

along with advertisements in other cities’

was known as a beautiful respite in the

newspapers, that Longview not only was

piney woods of East Texas.

good for business, it was good for quality

With several popular hotels

of life. Promoting two new expansive

near the train depots,

lakes formed right outside the city limits,

Longview’s natural beauty,

Lake Lomond and Lake Devernia,

VIEW FINDER Facing east down Tyler toward the intersection with Fredonia.

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along with spacious and well-appointed hotels, the city was a natural tourist destination. A vibrant new mayor, Mr. Gabriel Augustus Bodenheim, spearheaded civic enthusiasm with trolleys, paved sidewalks, clean sewage lines, streetlights, popular restaurants, parks, and movie houses that ran top rated shows. Living in Longview was greater than many had imagined. The Chamber, working with the City,

At this point in the city’s story, “downtown” incorporated the area known as “the Junction” (a small business community around the busy train depot.) Many of the homeowners along those early city blocks of Methvin and Whaley began relocating to new neighborhoods emerging south of Cotton Street because of the busyness and noise of downtown.

The original 100 acres of Longview had become a haven for manufacturers, shopping and entrepreneurs. It was time for this growing city to expand into new territory.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

21

ensured that business owners had

and came to a head in a violent riot in

become a horrific economic picture for

access to electricity, clean water, and the

1919. The arrival of the Texas Rangers

most of the country. Still relying on the

good business communications needed

to quiet the strife, coupled with the

local agricultural and timber community,

to sustain all the merchants that opened

overnight economic hit set in motion

many dry goods stores, like Connor’s on

their doors in downtown. At this point

by the departure of the Texas and

Fredonia Street, were able to weather the

in the city’s story, “downtown”

Pacific division offices in 1929, created

rough days of the Depression because of

incorporated the area known as “the

astounding challenges for the Chamber’s

the town’s natural supply and demand.

Junction” (a small business community

board of directors. They not only had to

around the busy train depot). Many

But an influx of unemployed people

find a way to work around the obstacles,

of the homeowners along those early

but also had to uncover positive

riding the railroads looking for work

city blocks of Methvin and Whaley

business opportunities in a city that had

began relocating to new neighborhoods

reached an apex in its growing pains.

emerging south of Cotton Street because

soon became a daily interaction for both merchants and the Chamber staff, and as often as possible they helped direct

When the national stock market crashed

skilled labor to specific job opportunities.

and led to an epidemic of unemployment

Folks at Kelly Plow, Coca-Cola, Graham

Not all was rosy in the new era.

Longview was affected, but not to the

Box Company, R.G. Brown’s Lumber

Prohibition created an underground

degree of more urban locations. The

Company, the Cotton Compress

element operating in and around the

Chamber acted quickly to strengthen

Company, every local church, and the

city. Racial tensions were high as the city

area businesses using communication

Chamber worked as hard as they could

was almost evenly populated by whites

techniques, motivational meetings, and

to ensure that Longview businesses

and blacks, although opportunities were

networking. They were able to create

wouldn’t go under in a changing

not. Misunderstandings were rampant

a momentum to ride out what would

economic outlook.

of the busyness and noise of downtown.

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

options on local farms, and Dad Joiner finally striking it big in Kilgore, the oil buzz turned into black gold reality, and overnight Longview and East Texas became part of an unprecedented national story. The Longview Chamber of Commerce offered a $10,000 reward for the first person to tap oil inside the city limits. As it turned out, the Lathrop oil well was the next big find, and that field was just outside the city limits near Pine Tree. When it blew it showed just how far

Then came oil.

The Longview Chamber of Commerce

north the oil field could go. The Chamber

was never far away from the heated

honored its incentive and Longview

For decades, really since the days of Indians and settlers, the talk of oil underneath the sandy soil of East Texas had become legendary. Most of the major oil companies in the U.S. had turned away from hints of oil in East Texas, believing the big fields to be in South Texas and Louisiana.

conversations going on between

became a hotbed for the wheeling and

wildcatters around tables at the Longview

dealing days of the oil business. With a

Hotel or the Mobberly Hotel. LeGrande

population of 16,000 at the time, there

Kelly, one of the directors of the

was not enough room to accommodate

Chamber in the late 20s, was in the thick

the overwhelming surge of humanity

of those oil exploration conversations

that descended on Longview looking for

and was considered an expert on the

work in the heady days of oil plumes

topic. With B.A. Skinner buying lease

in the sky.

VIEW FINDER Facing north from the south side of Tyler.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Bruner Smith, one of the directors of

Hotels and boarding houses popped

the Longview Chamber of Commerce at

up from Greggton to the Junction, and

the time, was instrumental in keeping

home construction exploded to meet the

the Chamber focused on strengthening

demands for at least 300 new houses.

local stores and shopkeepers who were

Due to the threat of fire, the Chamber

simultaneously struggling with demands

worked with the City of Longview to pass

on their inventory and wildly excited

an emergency ordinance banning drilling

about earning potential. It took an even

oil or gas wells within the city limits

hand to navigate the flow of money and

without a permit. This action saved

oil, and the Longview Chamber initiated

downtown Longview and local

several programs to make sure local

families from the fate that faced

business owners had the collective

many other oil towns.

power they needed to meet the demands of the time. By the summer of 1931 there were at least 250 new businesses around Longview with activities closely related to oil.

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

The Chamber, recognizing the growth patterns coming with the influx of a bigger and busier population,

successful ten years earlier in getting surveyors to move

helped gain public approval for

the nation’s first coast-to-coast highway

construction of an underpass at High

(what we know today as Highway 80)

Street. They also helped negotiate a

south 12 miles so that it could benefit

bridge over the Sabine River and

a growing city, the Longview Chamber

right-of-way for a new road being

of Commerce continued its role of

constructed, Judson Road. Having been

negotiating with city and state agencies

to make sure the transportation needs

oilmen feeling shackled by state and

Chamber president the culture had

of a growing and vibrant community

federal production guidelines, it was a

mollified to some degree, but another

were met. In 1939 the four-lane U.S.

chaotic time in Longview. President of

defining moment was on the horizon.

Highway 80 opened. Running between

the Chamber of Commerce, Bill Taylor,

Longview and Gladewater, it was a lifeline

had the difficult task of maintaining

for transporting crude from the East Texas

stability in a season where people

oil field to the rest of the nation.

were not interested in cooperating with

Within a short time, over 90 refineries were built within the Longview area.

The role of the Chamber went from managing downtown business interests

anyone resembling the government; or paying taxes; or abiding by mandated production guidelines. The “hot” oil culture was taking on a life of its

During the oil boom, the Longview economy boomed as well. Not only were

to a quick education in oil markets and

own. That season, as much as any in

national transportation issues. This led to

Longview’s story, reveals the important

partnerships with several key agencies,

role the Chamber has always played in

Cotton Street changing the business

including navigating the tumultuous

navigating economic conditions. As the

climate, but the money flowing

days that followed when more than

Chamber is made up of dues-paying

into the pockets of Longview

1,000 members of the Texas National

members, and its board of directors is

families changed the focus

Guard descended on the East Texas Oil

elected from the membership, it’s as

of downtown merchants.

Field to reign in renegades distributing

much a peer group urging cooperative

Sears and Roebuck Company,

“hot” oil. With Texas officials requiring

efforts as any sort of official agency.

J.C. Penney’s, K. Woolen’s

prorated oil production, and many local

When Curtis Meadows took over as

Department Store, and Beall’s

oil related industries and emerging steel manufacturers like Madaras Steel on

VIEW FINDER Center of Fredonia facing south toward Cotton.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

25

all found new footing in the marketplace.

Kern’s Bakery and the Hollywood Cafe were always full, and Longview supported three movie theatres: the Arlene, the Rita, and the Rembert Theatre. Connor’s Dry Goods Store became Longview National Bank and Citizen’s National Bank solidified its presence. Harry and Lorene Horaney opened their feed store and the Gregg Hilton (Conrad Hilton’s second hotel in his soon-to-be empire) became the place to see and be seen around town. Rotary clubs, receptions, and private parties enjoyed the ballroom while the first floor restaurant, flower shop, and drug store maintained a brisk public

The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941

commonly referred to as the “The Big

business. The Longview Chamber of

changed everything. Longview’s sons

Inch” was built to supply East Texas

Commerce guided so much of the city’s

were called to duty, families planted

crude oil to the northeastern United

initiative that serving in the Chamber

Victory gardens, civic and social clubs

States, thereby securing victory for the

was as much a part of a businessman’s

started recycling aluminum to send to

Allied effort in Europe. Harmon General

resume as serving in Rotary.

the war effort, and an overland pipeline

Hospital was quickly constructed in

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HARMON GENERAL HOSPITAL WAS QUICKLY CONSTRUCTED SOUTH OF THE CITY LIMITS IN 1942 TO SUPPORT SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

1942 to support sick and wounded

buildings, 3 1/2 miles of enclosed

The campus also included its own

soldiers on a 156-acre facility acquired

walkways, three training hospitals,

railhead, Western Union office, post

south of the city limits. Longview

and a designated center for diseases

exchange, movie theatre, chapel,

Chamber of Commerce President

specialized to the central nervous

newspaper, library, and bank. At its

Grady Shipp and Longview Daily News

system, syphilis, and malaria.

peak, there were 5,000 people working

publisher Carl Estes not only lobbied the U.S. Army for this project, they helped secure the rights to the James A. Holloway farm to accommodate what would eventually become a 2,900-bed hospital comprised of over 200

VIEW FINDER Intersection of Tyler and Green facing west down Tyler.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

27

on site. And in the years it was active it treated over 23,000 patients.

At the close of the war, an idea formulated in the 1930s finally came to fruition: the Gregg County Airport opened to air traffic with Mid-Continent and Delta airlines providing four daily flights. This landmark project increased transportation opportunities for travelers and business development alike.

To say that the Longview Chamber of Commerce played an active role in developments like this is an understatement. At every juncture in the peaks and valleys of Longview, the Chamber has played an important role.

Eastman officials chose this area because of water, rail, and raw materials, and began construction of a 2,400-acre tract that would manufacture plastics and industrial chemicals.

institute for re-training GIs after the

with a growing population and business

When R.G. LeTourneau chose Longview

war – today’s nationally recognized

community came the need for a more

to build a major steel manufacturing

LeTourneau University), the business

consistent water supply. Lake Cherokee,

plant at the juncture of High and

and industrial make-up of Longview

a nine-mile long lake built between

Mobberly Streets (and by association

was changing from a dependence on

Gregg and Rusk counties, became

acquiring the former Harmon General

agriculture and timber to companies

the newest source for water and also

Hospital property to become a technical

related to oil and gas production. Also,

resulted in the construction of the

First National Bank Building (the city’s first “skyscraper”)

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

The Bramlette Building

Color photos in regional magazines featuring lake sports and industrial success came later, and then use of the most modern idea for the time, billboard advertising.

$18 million Knox-Lee power plant, required to meet the growing energy demands of a vibrant city.

1950 saw another landmark event on the outskirts of Longview, one that is also a credit to Carl Estes and the team of Chamber members who helped bring the largest single employer to Longview: Eastman Kodak Company. Eastman officials chose this area because of water, rail, and raw materials, and began construction of a 2,400-acre tract that would manufacture plastics and industrial chemicals. Still an industrial leader in our community, Texas Eastman has set an outstanding example by encouraging their employees to be involved in community engagement and volunteerism. Many of these employees choose to serve in leadership within the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

Construction in 1950s downtown Longview was also at a new high.

The 10-story First National Bank building

partnership ethic guided many of the

(the city’s first “skyscraper”) and the

relationships that developed between

Bramlette Building were a few of the

business and city leadership, which

new office venues available for a

ultimately lead to a better quality of life

rapidly-growing professional base.

for Longview citizens.

New to the banking scene was the construction at First and Whaley of First

From its inception the Chamber’s

State Bank of Longview, which eventually

efforts went into promoting Longview:

morphed into today’s powerhouse,

early ink drawing advertisements in

Texas Bank and Trust. Banks, savings

area newspapers showcased beautiful

and loans, attorneys, clinics, hospitals,

meadows and lakes, and boosters

independent school districts, insurance

boarded trains and took banners to

companies, and assorted other service

other cities. Color photos in regional

organizations flourished in this new era

magazines featuring lake sports and

of prosperity. The Chamber’s strong

industrial success came later, and then

First State Bank of Longview eventually became Longview Bank and Trust and is now Texas Bank and Trust.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

29

efforts of Robert Cargill, the Chamber, and City officials, a canning plant and other support industries were attracted to Longview’s pro-business climate. To support this new business, and because of the decay of pre-existing hotels, Holiday Inn built an expansive hotel, restaurant and conference center at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Estes Construction began in 1964 on a northern loop around Longview, and Interstate 20 was also completed bringing high-speed travel and uninterrupted access between Shreveport and Dallas.

Parkway to accommodate the busy professional and tourist traffic coming to the City. Movie theatres, popular

use of the most modern idea for the time,

and popular stores like Treasure City

billboard advertising. The Chamber

and Safeway entered the business

and the Jaycees have been pro-active

culture of Longview. With the expansion

in promoting a positive impression

of responsibility for the City, the Chamber

of Longview. Grateful to have missed

also reached out to the new business

With the construction of Loop 281

the worst of the infrastructure chaos

corridors and offered memberships

changing the way Longviewites moved

of the oil boom, City and Chamber

to many in the emerging business

between work and home, and the

leaders worked together to capitalize on

community: ITT Bell and Gossett

coming addition of a mall, downtown

Longview’s position as an established

Company, Resistol Hat, Screw and Bolt

Longview began to suffer setbacks.

business center and the governmental

Company, and two industrial districts on

The heyday of the downtown

seat of Gregg County. With the influx of

the east and west ends of the City.

marketplace known far and wide for

newcomers to Longview in association with the war effort, the population reached new heights and enjoyed a thriving commercial and industrial market. With a new county courthouse and several new government structures and schools, Longview was ready to ride into a new era with a solid foundation.

restaurants, and the ever-present Reo Palm Isle continued to feed the entertainment needs of Longview.

high caliber shopping offered by stores Construction began in 1964 on a

like Riffs, Hurwitz, and Martin’s, and

northern loop around Longview, and

of course the many jewelry stores that

Interstate 20 was also completed

provided beautiful indulgences, was

bringing high-speed travel and

waning. Consumers were shopping in

uninterrupted access between

other cites, and the appeal of mass

Shreveport and Dallas. With this new

marketed products was getting a

infrastructure, and the state designation

toe-hold in Longview. That trend was

of Lake Cherokee being the “sweetest

solidified later when the Longview Mall

tasting water in Texas,” Schlitz Brewery

opened with national franchise stores

Population numbers inched almost

chose Longview to be its newest brewery,

and many of downtown’s hallmark

to 70,000 in the 1960s with the

investing in a $15 million plant that

department stores either closed or

annexations of Greggton and Spring Hill,

would employ 300 people. Thanks to the

relocated. The Chamber’s role in

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

downtown support took on heightened

Robert Cargill Sr. and instantly became a

of such fun came the downturn in the oil

meaning. A downtown development

popular destination for walkers.

boom of the 1980s. The “bust,” as it is

group was created to specifically address the needs of the downtown merchants and to find ways to bring people back to the heart of Longview.

In the late 70s, as the Longview Mall was opening to shoppers, something bright, bold and beautiful took shape over the Longview horizon. The Great

often referred to, led to drastic changes in the oil and natural gas community, banks and savings and loans, and even retail marketplaces. The Chamber of Commerce weathered this downturn

As war raged in the 60s and 70s, the

Texas Balloon Race debuted as a new

City and the Chamber looked for ways

community event, which has grown to

along with its membership, looking for

to keep Longview’s business community

become a Longview tradition. Created

new ways to diversify the job market so

and citizens engaged in the future. A

by Dr. Bob Bussey, this “race” has

that the City wasn’t as dependent on oil

new long-range planning process was

blossomed into a multi-million dollar

and gas related industry for revenue.

established to create clear goals for how

enterprise supported by community

The Chamber of Commerce took great

Longview could drive forward into the

volunteers and business sponsors, and

pleasure in getting involved with the

future. To that end, Gregg County airport

has developed into one of the great

City of Longview in one of its first

extended its runway to 10,000 feet

tourist draws for Longview. On the heels

public/private partnerships: the Maude

(making it the longest civilian runway in the southwest) and a new traffic control tower was built. Also, as a credit to the new idea of re-using underutilized spaces within the City, Robert Cargill Sr. and his wife donated land that led to the first-of-its-kind, 2.2 mile walking trail along a former rail line. This new park was named in honor of

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

31

Cobb Convention and Activity Center.

one of the Chamber’s most successful

charge with new industrial recruitment

This 40,000 square foot facility replaced

relocation tools.

and incentives, and Longview prepared

the smaller fairgrounds exhibit center as the go-to location for business, civic, community, and conference venues.

With commercial television stations staking out Longview, and popular radio stations, newspaper, and multiple magazines promoting the area, the Chamber had to think in new creative measures to meet new media standards for sharing the good news of a fertile business landscape. Sponsoring

Diversification became a key word for the Chamber of Commerce in the 80s, and it’s one that is still important today as the Chamber works to support and strengthen the businesses in Longview and help prepare the community for new opportunities. A significant part of the Chamber’s story came to light during a time of transition in Longview’s city governance. Martha Whitehead, Longview mayor, saw the need to change and consolidate many of the services provided through tourism, the Chamber, Downtown Development, and industrial recruitment. In 1994 the Longview Partnership was formed as an umbrella to house the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Downtown Development group. Armed with collective power and strength, and a new spirit of cooperation, Sid Allen as

to diversify it’s industrial climate to one with technology-oriented businesses like Sitel Corporation, Cubix and Tegron, Dana Corporation, Alacatel, and even major distribution services like Neiman Marcus. The Partnership worked in tandem with the City to see various million dollar reinvestments brought to the infrastructure under and around the brick streets of historic downtown Longview. In 2007 the Chamber secured recertification of the State of Texas Main Street Program, another avenue for bringing much needed attention to downtown merchants, historic preservation, and tourism opportunities for downtown, as well as addressing the infrastructure elements still remaining to be updated as a means of diversifying the marketplace between Tyler and Whaley Streets.

the president of The Partnership, settled

Kelly Hall came to

into a networking business format for a

The Partnership

visionary Chamber. With collaboration,

in 2005 as the

new programs were established. In

president of

support of the business community,

the Chamber

the Chamber led in training, advocacy,

of Commerce.

Uniquely Longview magazine was a

business recognition, and in creating a

Kelly has made

definitive way to promote Longview as

workforce-ready strength in conjunction

an invaluable

an ideal community and it’s become

with school districts. LEDCO led the

impression for her

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

commitment to community engagement

in 2010 to fall under the direction of

leaders came onto Kelly Hall’s radar,

and for directing the Chamber toward

the Chamber, and with a growing staff

she immediately found ways to recruit

state and national advocacy on

to supply those needs Longview has

participants, knowing that the more

legislative issues that affect the local

continued to develop its conference

community advocates who saw other

economy. Educational partnerships with

events at Maude Cobb, sports tourism

successful cities rise to new challenges,

Kilgore College, LeTourneau University,

at Lear Park, the always popular

the more the Chamber could help

East Texas Technical Institute, and UT

AlleyFest event downtown, and

Longview reach its next set of high

Tyler-Longview started many years ago

Heritage Plaza movie and music events.

standards. The Chamber is once again a

and have yielded fruit as those Chamber

In 2011, the Longview Chamber of

champion of long-range planning for the

liaisons began reflecting a diversified

Commerce received the first 5-Star

City of Longview and recently assisted

workforce entering the fields today. Our

accredited Chamber in East Texas

in promoting community participation

skilled workforce is a decisive factor for

and only one of six in the state.

in the City’s 2014-15 Comprehensive

many companies choosing Longview for

It continues its tradition of excellence

Plan. Knowing that the most productive

relocation.

by being recognized as one of the top

city engines are the ones that have been

1% of chambers of commerce across

engaged, fully fueled by the business

the country by the U.S. Chamber of

community, and fully planned by

Commerce.

community leaders, the Chamber

In continuing its original purpose for promoting and protecting the prosperity of local business, the Chamber routinely

of Commerce has, and will continue,

highlights the many beautiful natural

to work with the City of Longview,

qualities of this region, dubbing

LEDCO, its education partners, and its

Longview the “heart of the East Texas

ever-growing membership to ensure the

Lake Region.” Longview is often cited

brightest and most pro-business outlook

in state magazines for its remarkable natural beauty, fishing tournaments,

The 2016 Chamber of Champions

and access to miles of paved roads for

is preparing for the next 100 years

bikers. With the advent of the Belcher

by becoming laser-focused in three

Chapel and Performing Arts Center

specific areas: business solutions,

at LeTourneau University, Longview

advocacy solutions, and education

has been able to enjoy world-class

solutions. These three priorities will

entertainment options without ever

ensure continued prosperity for the

leaving the city limits. The Convention

Longview trade area. That’s why, when

and Visitors Bureau, Main Street, and

the opportunity to offer inter-city visits

other departments were restructured

to local community and business

for the future.

The Longview Chamber of Commerce has kept Longview’s engine running smoothly for 100 years, and it is committed to continuing that level of excellence for decades to come.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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11 0 5 J U D S O N R O A D – L O N G V I E W, T E X A S

Horaney ’s , Inc. Celebrates 76 Year th

In 1940 Harry and Lorene Horaney opened a feed store in Downtown Longview at 207 N. Court. Horaney’s quickly became a community gathering place.

The business grew, evolving out of its rural heritage, and carrying new merchandise to keep pace with the changing society. The store began to attract homeowners as well as farmers, and Horaney’s Feed Store flourished.

Albert, Harry’s son, married Betty Barkett of Marshall in 1958, and together they worked with Harry until Harry’s death in 1977. Albert relocated the store to a larger and more modern building at 301 W. Methvin. Today it remains the same friendly store it was in 1940.

In 1996 Albert Horaney died, and as a tribute to his memory, the City of Longview changed the name of Court Street to Horaney Street. Betty, like Albert and his father Harry, has enjoyed helping many people over the years, never wanting recognition.

Today Betty Horaney continues the business with her son Ron, representing the third Horaney generation to run the store.

Customers still come downtown to browse, shop, have a cup of coffee and visit, and find a large supply of birdfeeders, birdhouses, fountains, plants, chemicals, organic products, sprayers, garden seeds, farm supplies, horse supplies, tools, cattle feeders, wire, and an endless array of other items.

Giving back to the community for all the goodness shown the family, Betty is active in many worthwhile projects in town.

It is Betty Horaney’s hope that the Horaney business will continue through her son, and one day pass to her five grandchildren, keeping the family tradition alive in Longview. “God has blessed me,” she says, “not only with my family, but with my customers and the many friends I have made throughout the years through this wonderful business.”

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3920 HWY. 259 N LONGVIEW, TX 75605 WWW.AUTOBODYEXPRESS.COM U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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OF LONGVIEW, TEXAS

by Kimberly Fish

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

A 20-Year Long-Range Plan and Choices To Be Made

T

he buzz began when

the goal of their efforts was to create a better

former mayor, Earl Roberts,

place to live, to work, and to raise families.

considered the future of Longview and realized

“Longview has not found all the answers

that citizens and City staff

to her problems, but with dedication and

needed a plan to initiate positive growth and

community wide support we can safely say the

redevelopment goals. The interesting thing is

Longview Chamber of Commerce is working

that this was not a new idea. Going back to

on Longview’s progress to become the great

the peaks and valleys of Longview’s economic

metropolitan center of East Texas.”

story, visionaries have long realized the value in

Johnny Cace

progressive thought and intentional planning.

What’s fascinating is how that 49-year-old

For instance, in the 1967 annual report from

philosophy is the very one that today is guiding

the Longview Chamber of Commerce, the

not only the current Chamber’s momentum,

Board President Johnny Cace pronounced

but is in fact the genesis of the recently

Longview a “City of Planned Progress,” and

adopted City of Longview Comprehensive Plan.

“To be a premier community promoting education, business opportunities, and cultural diversity; capitalizing on our heritage and natural beauty; while focusing on families and healthy living; and creating a safe, welcoming environment that attracts vibrant people to call Longview home.”

— Vision statement, crafted by local 2014 Comprehensive Plan committee members

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

41

B

ecause the process of creating this longrange plan grew over 18 months, it has all the right ingredients

to be a successful and realized agenda guiding city staff and elected officials as they navigate Longview’s forward path.

Through a series of town-hall-styled meetings, community members who attended were given a variety of formats to answer polling questions, participate in discussions, walk through scenarios and give input (by affirmation or dissent) on numerous questions, and in the end, critique the rough draft before the plan was assembled. No one can recall another experience as cumulative as this one in Longview’s history, and

Glimpse the Future of Development

Longview’s Comprehensive Plan Objectives

the “buy in” from the community has been extensive. Thanks to support from the media, there’s hardly a citizen who didn’t have reason to know about the process and outcomes of the City of Longview’s Comprehensive Plan.

However, for those who don’t remember the highlights, a snapshot of the Plan Objectives is listed at right.

Noble goals, and as it turns out, highly attainable. With the 2015 vote by City Council, the Comprehensive Plan was approved and endorsed as the tool to guide our city forward. Now comes the part where we roll up our shirtsleeves and get to work. Because this plan has so many working parts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and think that there must be an impossible price tag to achieve this 20-year long-range plan for our city. But, to the surprise of almost everyone, it is just the opposite. Many of the initial parts of the plan are entirely free of charge.

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

Be recognized as the most livable city in East Texas.

Provide opportunities and healthy choices for Longview citizens.

Have quality education through collaborative efforts to reach the highest education attainment at all levels.

Create a thriving city that attracts people of all ages and provides opportunities for young professionals and graduates to stay in Longview. Allow young people to be engaged, and foster a family-friendly atmosphere.

Foster a strong and diverse economy that provides a full range of employment and economic choices.

Promote a community that encourages cross-cultural understanding, nurturing, respect, and celebration.

Build on Longview’s historical significance and heritage.

Enhance Longview’s natural beauty and preserve its natural resources.

Ensure adequate facilities and services to maintain safety for Longview’s visitors, residents, and workers.

Strengthen Longview’s image, identity and character to foster a distinctive and appealing place to live and visit.

Read the Comprehensive Plan online by scanning the QR code below with your mobile device.

Unlocking the Potential BEHIND LONGVIEW’S FRONT DOOR

S

ince creating the

of our city for redevelopment, and

first impression of our “front door?”

most livable city in

focusing collective efforts on intentional

Old motels, boarded gas stations and

East Texas requires a

development. We can’t change the

empty buildings. Not the impression a

thorough roadmap for

past, but we can affect the future. To

city that wants to be the most livable

all future construction,

reach for the first elements of our city’s

in East Texas should make. Thankfully,

city projects, development initiatives,

Comprehensive Plan, the City Manager,

there are new motels, big gas stations,

and budgeting elements, much of

City staff, and City Council worked

and a Cracker Barrel restaurant to

the foundational elements are done

diligently during the summer of 2015 to

counter the clutter, but equipping city

by changing codes, zoning, future

find the budgetary means to make small

leaders and developers with the tools

land use maps, and finding ways to

area plans, new staff hires, funding of the

to improve our main thoroughfare is a

address aesthetics and blight within our

additions to the Lear Park master plan,

big step in the right direction. Because

own policies. Cost-free initiatives take

and extensions to the hike and bike trails

of an active housing district and busy

attention to detail and positive votes

an immediate reality.

schools, plus Texas Eastman, Joy Global

by elected officials, but the beauty of

and LeTourneau University components,

it is that it doesn’t cost the taxpayers

With so much interest in the Interstate

Longview has many hard working folks

anything. Because it’s impossible to go

20 corridor, starting in that area makes

who could benefit from an improved

back and retrofit our community, much

sense. Not only is the intersection at

retail and commercial presence at

of what can be done to create the city we

I-20 and Texas Highway 149 Longview’s

I-20. What’s been learned by watching

all want to live in is to effectively guide

“front door,” but it’s also a gateway

other cities evolve is that when your

what happens from this day forward,

running through the very heart of our

city arteries are taken care of, progress

starting with removing eyesores, cleaning blighted spaces, opening up the middle

city. Think of all the people driving east

naturally continues to side streets and neighborhoods.

to west on the interstate. What’s their

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Manifesting Longview as the “Most Livable City�

Through the City of Longview Comprehensive Plan

photo by FT Aerial Services

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

R

eviewing results from

we can easily envision more parks and

way people want to move in the future.

the Comprehensive

trails, as well as redeveloped businesses

That’s what makes Longview special,

Plan surveys,

that aim for a more pleasing aesthetic

and perfect for this 20-year long-range

Longview citizens

appearance. The value seen in business

plan. We have all the raw ingredients,

want to see their

and revenue would be doubled by the

the willpower of people committed to a

city parks improved and expanded.

The Paul G. Boorman hike and bike trail has become one of Longview’s greatest assets, and local folks want more successful ventures of this type to continue. But, there is a caveat. The parks, as we’ve been told by citizen input, should connect to each other.

This would give miles of interworking trails for people to choose from and could, in theory, connect neighborhoods and sections of our city creating a walkable community. A key part of this connectivity is simply implementing the master parks plan our city leaders voted on many years ago. Another part is encouraging private development to come alongside these parks to create “destinations” for walkers, runners and bicyclists. How great would it be to tell friends that you’ll meet them at a restaurant along the park paths?

photo by FT Aerial Services

Something else that the people of Longview are emphatic about is seeing downtown Longview become the retail, commercial and entertainment heartbeat for our city.

Creating the destination component is not something our city leaders can make

community pride returned to one of

vision, and the momentum to make good

appear, but they can remove the barriers,

the most important arteries in our city.

things happen for a new generation.

thereby encouraging private developers

To be clear, Lake Lamond is a private

to participate in our “livable city.”

lake, and at this time its ecosystem and

Something else that the people of Longview are emphatic about is seeing downtown Longview become the retail, commercial and entertainment heartbeat for our city. From that vital

surrounding areas are maintained by the owner. Teague Park is a city park, with an amphitheater, fishing lake, walking trails, and with access to a beautiful, historic neighborhood, Nugget Hill.

Harnessing the direction of our city leadership to follow the plan the citizens spoke into being is a big part of moving Longview forward, but so is patience in the process and the willingness to make sacrifices to stay the course. Knowing that our Longview legacy is one of

center, they said over and over again,

Longview’s excellent transportation grid

forward thinking, look again at the 1967

they want the middle parts of our city

has been an asset for the automobile,

annual report on the next page and be

to be revitalized as well. Think about

but in this new era folks want to see

reminded of our visionary city. We can

how beautiful Highway 80 could be,

transportation extend to walking paths,

again work together to provide everyone

the very spine of Longview, if visibility

bike paths and an expansion of our

the opportunity to thrive and succeed so

to the two lakes that bump against it,

transit system. With the increased

that we can create both the city we want

Teague Park and Lake Lamond, were

mobility at our city’s train depot, the echo

to live in, and the one that will attract a

opened. From these restful environments

of our past comes right into play with the

new generation to call Longview home.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

45

Highlights from the 1967

Longview Chamber of Commerce Annual Report: ▸▸ New families were moving to Longview every week. ▸▸ There were 5 new manufacturing plants and 22 expansions to local businesses. ▸▸ Local bank deposits were over $88 million dollars. ▸▸ Interstate 20 was completed linking Dallas to Shreveport. ▸▸ Votech schools were added to Longview ISD. ▸▸ The City of Longview passed a $.01 sales tax.

A chart illustrating the state of wages and inflation in the economy, an example of how the Chamber of Commerce sought to educate the business community through its newsletter.

▸▸ Trans Texas Airways set an all time high record in passenger flights at Gregg Co. Airport ▸▸ There were 1000 members in the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

“Longview has not found all the answers to her problems, but with dedication and community wide support we can safely say the Longview Chamber of Commerce is working on Longview’s progress to become the great metropolitan center of East Texas.”

— Johnny Cace, 1967 Board President

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Infrastructure Residents, commuters and visitors have several means to access the area. One Interstate freeway and two U.S. highways run through the City of Longview, and in addition, four Texas state highways also converge in Longview. Two Texas state highway spurs serve to connect highways in Longview and are one of the components that make travel in the city so convenient.

Interstate 20 is an east/west freeway that connects Longview to Dallas, approx.

125 miles (201 km) to the west and to Shreveport, Louisiana, approx. 60 miles (97 km) to the east.

U.S. Highway 80 runs through the central district of Longview. U.S. Hwy 80 was once a coast to coast highway from Tybee Beach near Savannah, Georgia and ran continuously across the southern part of the United States to San Diego, California. Today its western terminus is Dallas, Texas, making the length only 1,032 miles (1,661 km).

U.S. Highway 259 is a 250-mile (400 km) north/south spur route connecting U.S. 59 from Nacogdoches, Texas and U.S. 59 near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border just south of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Before Interstate 20, US 259 went through the center of Longview on a route that now is designated Texas State Highway 31 and Spur 502.

Texas Highway 31 runs 143.3 miles (230.6 km) east/west between Longview and Waco, Texas.

Spur 502 connects north/south traffic between U.S. Hwy 80 in central Longview and U.S. Hwy 259 north of Longview.

Texas Highway 149 is a 33.9-mile (54.6 km) north/south highway connecting Longview with Carthage.

Texas Highway 300 is a short 18.62-mile (29.97 km) highway connecting Longview to U.S. 271 in Gilmer, Texas.

Texas Highway 281 is a 19.3-mile

Spur 63 runs north/south through Longview connecting Texas Highway 31 at its Longview terminus with Spur 502 north of Texas Loop 281.

(31.1 km) loop highway that circumnavigates much of Longview from its east connection at I-20 east of the Gregg/ Harrison county line to I-20 in Longview.

It runs northward, westward, southward

Scan this Code to Find Longview Area Attractions

and eastward around the city.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

47

City of Longview Government & Services

LONGVIEW CITY COUNCIL

M AYO R

Andy Mack

D I ST R I C T 4

Kristen Ishihara

D I S T R I CT 1

Ed Moore

D I S T R I CT 5

David Wright

DI S TRI CT 2

DI S TRI CT 3

Nona Snoddy

Kasha Williams

DI S TRI CT 6

CI TY M ANAG ER

Sidney Allen

David Willard

The vision for Longview is...

To be a premier community promoting education, business opportunities, and cultural diversity; capitalizing on our heritage and natural beauty; focusing on families and healthy living; and creating a safe, welcoming environment that attracts vibrant people to call Longview “HOME.” In 2015, Longview residents helped craft the City’s roadmap for the future.

Adopted in March 2015, the Longview Comprehensive Plan is a long-range planning tool to help guide the growth and development of Longview for the next 15-20 years. Visit LongviewTexas.gov/Plan to learn more.

300 W. Cotton St. • Longview, Texas 75601 • 903.237.1000 • LongviewTexas.gov

See a problem?

Stay informed.

LongviewTexas.gov

CitySend it!

ONLINE & MOBILE SERVICE REQUEST SYSTEM

THE CITY OF LONGVIEW WEBSITE MAKES IT EASY TO STAY INFORMED. Search for information, sign up for notifications, check the calendar for upcoming events, watch videos of council meetings, or use the contact form to email city staff.

ONLINE SERVICES • • • • • • • •

Employment Applications Water Bill Payment Parks Activity & Facility Registration Library eBooks and Databases Code of Ordinances GIS Interactive WebMap City Traffic Ticket Payment Other Applications and Forms

VIDEOS AND STREAMING CONTENT In addition to broadcast on Longview Cable, CityView Municipal Television shows and programming may be viewed on demand at LongviewTexas.gov/CityView. City Council meetings are also available by live streaming.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION & WEATHER WARNING SYSTEM Sign up for the Emergency Notification and Weather Warning System to receive emergency public safety notifications to your telephone or cell phone, delivered within moments of being issued by the National Weather Service. This information is also available at LongviewTexas.gov/CodeRed.

STAY CONNECTED WITH “NOTIFY ME” & SOCIAL NETWORKING With Notify Me, you can receive information about City of Longview news, events, agendas, and more. You can also stay connected to the City of Longview on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Police, Fire, Parks, Partners in Prevention, Housing, Animal Services, and the Library all use social networking to communicate with residents.

This information is also available at LongviewTexas.gov/NotifyMe and LongviewTexas.gov/Social.

SEE A POTHOLE, SOME LITTER OR A MISSED TRASH PICKUP? CitySend allows Longview residents to identify issues and report those service requests directly to the City of Longview.

Residents can upload a photo or video of the concern and mark the geographic location on a map.

STEP BY STEP

1. See an issue.

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Submit at LongviewTexas.gov/CitySend or with your Smartphone.

Available free on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows.

LongviewTexas.gov

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

From early printed maps to antique quilts, at least

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t n e l l e c x E

D I A G N O S I S :

by Kimberly Fish

Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd Medical Center (GSMC).

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

Photo courtes y of GSMC. m. orical Museu County Hist sy of Gregg Photo courte

Longview’s Vibrant Medical Community has Long Been Part of the Story

F

rom the earliest days of stagecoach communities surrounded by cotton and pea farmers, this corner of Texas has needed medical care. Whether from snake bite, saw mill accident, gun shot wound, or complicated childbirth, the earliest settlers to Pine Tree, Earpville,

and Awalt were exposed to illness and injury that required the skills of educated physicians. The story of Longview’s medical community is as varied as the twists and turns of Longview itself, and much like our city, is brighter for its perseverance.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

55

Amazingly generous and devoted

physicians are part of Longview’s culture, and one need look no farther than one

deformities, and some psychological

of our first citizens, Dr. W.D.Northcutt, to

issues that were simply labeled “odd”

find such an example. A little later on in

back then. All these folks wanted to find

its history, Dr. Vesse Hurst brought a new

a home, a job, or a purpose in Longview’s

specialty to the community, building an

growing community. Thanks to the Native

ear, nose, and throat clinic that helped

Americans who had cultivated this land

residents stay healthy and robust. But,

long before settlers arrived, there were

on the other hand, there were a few who

a variety of medicinal herbs, plants, and

claimed medical expertise that was more

(some say) healing waters to be found

fiction than fact. The people migrating to

within the original footprint for Longview.

Longview back in the day were searching

With its temperate climate and easy

for new territory, some leaving their past

proximity for travel, Longview became

behind, others bringing their baggage

a hub for medical care early in the

with them. That included disease,

twentieth century.

The first full-time hospital erected in the city is attributed to Dr. L.N. Museum. gg County Historical Photo courtesy of Gre

Markham. His clinic on

56

Center Street was designed as a small hospital in 1908 and evolved into a pediatric clinic that remained until the 1970s.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

Photo courtesy of GSMC.

Good Shepherd has experienced several groundbreakings for new construction since its original 70 bed-design.

Gregg County acquired

Visionary for its time, this hospital was built

accommodate more operating rooms,

land from the Turner estate,

with a basement and a six-car garage. With

labs, diagnostic areas, and rooms for

surgical wards and an area dedicated to

physicians to treat their private patients.

handle emergencies, the Gregg Memorial

Pieced together as it was, this hospital

Hospital was well on its way to meeting the

remained functioning until the 1960s

between Fourth and Fifth Streets, to build an H-shaped facility with four wards that

needs of a booming community. Still, that

when the Commissioner’s Court turned

could accommodate 40 beds for

was not enough. By 1949, this small hospital

the hospital over to a non-profit called

men and 30 beds for women.

needed to add a three-story addition to

Good Shepherd Hospital, Inc.

n 1931, as an outbreak of

Not everyone had access to outstanding

an ambulance to offset giving away much

diphtheria and malaria was

medical care in the early part of the

of his legal advice, he saw first hand the

growing into an epidemic,

twentieth century. Not only was there

neglect given to patients at segregated

Mrs. Nora C. Davis opened a 30-bed

no such thing as Medicare, Medicaid,

clinics. Approaching directors at a

hospital at 300 Melton Street so that

or even medical insurance like we know

vocational school for African Americans,

Dr. Ross could treat these patients. A

today, there was also a disparity based

Camp Normal Industrial Institute, White

few short years later, the Gregg County

on race. A local attorney who graduated

suggested that they change the focus to

Commissioner’s Court purchased the

from Howard University Law School in

one that was aimed at quality medical care.

building to meet the growing needs of the

1927, Israel Scott White, returned to

Mr. White recruited a black physician as

county in trying to combat these diseases.

Longview and due to the racial climate

administrator for what became known as

The onset of the oil boom and the migrant

of the time took a different approach to

Camp Normal Hospital. The building filled

community that followed exponentially

establishing his clientele. Not only did

a critical need and still stands today near

increased the number of sick and

he offer charitable legal services to other

the intersection of Methvin and Highway

wounded in the county, and soon this

black community members in Longview,

80, with a historical marker designating

hospital had tapped out its ability to care

he also saw a gulf in the medical care

it as one of the first hospitals designed to

for the local community.

offered to their families. Because he drove

sustain the African American community.

I

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

57

T

he 30s and 40s were

office), supported a community of up to

medical techniques and drugs. Harmon’s

booming times for Longview,

5,000 in staff, and at its peak, served

pathology laboratory was recognized as

even beyond what the

2,804 patients at any given time. There

the most efficient in the entire Eighth

oil industry created. World War II

were three training hospitals on site, and

Service Command. During the period of

also brought a phenomenal medical

even toward the end of the war, a POW

1944-45, 33 medical research papers

development to a former farmer’s estate

camp for German soldiers captured in

were written at Harmon and accepted for

just to the south of the city. Longview’s

the North Africa invasion. Interestingly,

publication in medical journals. It’s been

Chamber of Commerce president, Grady

this hospital, like many in the Army

noted that a feature of the outstanding

Shipp, and Carl Estes, Longview News-

medical arsenal, specialized in certain

recovery rate for many of the patients

Journal publisher, secured a U.S. Army

conditions. It treated many non-emergent

treated at Harmon was the easy access

general hospital for the city. Built from

cases, and focused on issues related

to outdoor recreations that we all know

the ground up in less than two years,

to the central nervous system, syphilis,

are intrinsic to life in Longview. In addition

Harmon General Hospital (named for

malaria, and psychiatry. Of the 23,405

to getting patients moving in and around

Col. Daniel Warrick Harmon, an Army

military personnel treated at Harmon

Longview, the hospital also provided for

physician) was a 156-acre facility that

General Hospital, only 38 did not survive.

USO Tours to come to Longview. It also

ultimately grew to include 157 buildings

In addition to a national syphilis center,

sponsored a movie theatre. The Longview

(including bank, library, post exchange,

there was the Laboratory of Imported

community stepped up to support

chapel, newspaper, and Western Union

Malarial Studies cultivating innovative

Harmon in a variety of ways. Not only did

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

volunteer groups donate time, talent and

decommissioning the hospital began.

supplies, but a Shreveport radio station

The last patient was released and all

weekly broadcast a daily program entitled

wards were closed by December 6,

“Heroes Come to Harmon,” detailing

1945. A year later, R.G. and Evelyn

the dramas that soldiers had faced in

LeTourneau were flying over Longview

war. An unintended, but welcome boom

doing a site survey for a potential new

from Harmon General Hospital was

manufacturing plant with their host, Carl

the spike in population related to the

Estes, when Mrs. LeTourneau looked

support needed to sustain the facility.

down on the empty barracks of what had

Longview had population of 14,000 in

been Harmon General Hospital and had

1940, but it was 30,000 strong by 1946.

a vision for turning the facility into a job

Many of the newcomers to Longview

training center for returning GIs. With the

Female nurses

weren’t from the South originally, but

purchase of the Harmon Hospital site,

made up the bulk

they liked what they saw here and many

the LeTourneau’s founded a technical

of the staff needed

stayed. In October 1945, the colonel in

institute, which grew into the nationally

to operate Harmon

command of Harmon General Hospital

recognized university we are privileged

General Hospital.

was reassigned, and the process of

today to call ours, LeTourneau University.

Photo courtesy of Gregg County Historical Museum.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

59

Photo courtesy of LRMC.

Many were in attendance at the grand opening of Longview Regional Medical Center.

The landscape for specialty clinics is entrenched in Longview’s history.

L

ongview Regional moved onto the Longview scene in the early 1980s as the result

of doctors wanting to offer a competitive

With its regional pull, many have come

the cancer issues of the community

to the city not only for commerce and

required more than one compassionate

entertainment, but for the medical care

physician, and he recruited Dr. Margaret

that was always top of the list. Dr. Vesse

Schottstaedt to join his practice.

Hurst capitalized on this in 1919 when he

Soon outgrowing various spaces, they

opened his first medical clinic on Methvin

began the process of bringing a Texas

Street (in a building later home to KFRO

Oncology Clinic to Longview. Dr. Bill

radio station). By 1940, Dr. Hurst had

Taylor, oncology radiology, was brought

built a three-story modern building with

to Longview and with his arrival a new

room for 25-beds, an operating room

treatment facility was created with onsite

(and interestingly enough, a vault) to

radiology. Since opening the doors on

facilitate his expertise as an ear, nose

the architecturally interesting building on

and throat physician. Still today, specialty

Fourth Street, they’ve since expanded

the family of Dr. Jack Coven, “the little

clinics cater to the unique needs of those

both in facilities, radiology technology,

hospital behind the pine trees” planted

facing very specific care. The Longview

and staff to create one of the leading

deep roots at the corner of Fourth Street

Cancer Center is one. Created to meet

cancer treatment centers in the state.

and Hollybrook Drive and opened in

a need, The Cancer Center has since

Dr. Duncan says that one of the reasons

1980 to serve Longview patients. A mere

grown into a regional leader in medicine.

Longview became a regional leader in

30 years later, LRMC has grown into a

Long before the doors to the Cancer

medical care was the shift from general

beautiful campus with a hospital doubled

Center were officially opened, Dr. Lewis

medicine physicians to specialists, giving

in size from its original footprint. After

Duncan moved to Longview in 1984

patients in the East Texas area advanced

various mergers, Community Health

and provided oncology services from a

treatment options from some of the best

Systems now retains ownership of

one-room clinic on Fourth Street. Treating

in the profession.

Longview Regional Medical Center.

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

environment to healthcare customers and develop room for specialists in treatment care. With leadership from Bill McReynolds and Drs. Mitchell, Griefenkamp, Bianca, and Coven, a committee met first with Hospital Corporation of America and then the legislators in Austin to clear the legal hurdles of beginning something as big and complex as a modern health care facility. With land purchased from

Photo courtesy of GSMC.

In September 2013 LRMC grew into a

into such a powerhouse of healthcare.

three monitored VIP suites, and a

230-bed hospital with acute care private

Former mayor and businessman, Lou

26-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility

rooms, a new three-story tower with room

Galosy, liked to laugh when telling the

among 135 additional beds. Good

for a neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU)

story of how he, an attorney, and an

Shepherd has continued to enhance

and a new oncology unit, plus the addition

Episcopal priest were responsible for

technology and exceed national

of a four-story, 80,000 sq. ft. medical

changing Gregg Memorial to Good

quality standards for the healthcare

office building that houses the new

Shepherd Hospital. Or at least the name

of East Texans. The medical center

center for wound healing and hyperbaric

of it. They were part of the committee

also opened the area’s first neonatal

medicine. An expansive variety of medical

who formed the non-profit that bought

intensive care unit. With the addition

specialties, leading technology, and

Gregg Memorial Hospital from the

of Good Shepherd Medical Center

advanced treatments are the natural

county and created a regional hospital

Marshall, the expansions of the NICU

with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas to

center, The Institute for Healthy

treat the needs of East Texans. With a

Living, and Good Shepherd Medical

new hospital board and many years of

Associates, the GSMC pursuit for

With Longview Regional

experience, a series of reinvestments

excellent medical care in Longview has

Medical Center and Good

ultimately led to a major construction

expanded to new horizons.

outcome when patients are given choices in their medical care.

Shepherd Medical Center,

program in January 1972, when the original hospital structure was

The healthcare options of Longview

demolished and a four-story building

parallel the growth of Longview. From

with modern equipment and 225 beds

the early days of a stagecoach town to

quality options and high-

was introduced to the city. In 1981,

its current function as the transportation

caliber care when faced

with the release of administration from

hub of East Texas, Longview and its

with the challenges of

the Dioceses, Good Shepherd Medical

healthcare community have continued

incidents, injury or aging.

Center expanded to 335 beds and was

to grow, expand, evolve, and challenge

used primarily for general medical and

themselves so that area patients ultimately

Gregg Memorial Hospital had no idea,

surgical services. In 2002 the east tower

benefit. And that’s only to be expected

back in 1931, that what started as a clinic

was constructed, which included a new

from a city built with a progressive name,

to treat a malaria outbreak would grow

heart center, a new day surgery suite,

mindset, and culture.

the patients in the East Texas region are given

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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67

by Kimberly Fish

Vintage photo by H. ABERNATHY/CLASSICSTOCK

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

At the same time area lakes were being crafted, women were embracing their new freedoms, shaking off old traditions and trying new pastimes.

S

The lakes, that when viewed from aerial

full-range of entertainment options

Earpville, and Willow Springs, settlers

photos look like a strand of pearls laid

for those long summer nights when

in this corner of East Texas that we

out across East Texas, quickly developed

the East Texas horizon is warmed by

now call Longview have viewed water

from an immediate need of supplying

a slow-setting sun. Lake Lamond was

resources as one of the most valuable

steam engines to one that entertained

built by Bob Echols, Hugh Echols,

commodities. The winding curves of

adults and children for generations. It

and Frank Rembert to offer a cool

the Sabine River and the surprise of

doesn’t take a lot of imagination to picture

respite for Longview citizens, and

artesian waters valued by the Indians

trains paused at the filling stations to

with its party pavilions and access to

were tools for survival and commerce,

take on water, and passengers looking

motor launches, it entertained many

but a new dimension developed once the

out windows to see folks at the water’s

generations. The lake, now privately

railroad came to town. Lakes. Specifically,

edge with handmade poles trolling the

owned, still has lazy edges, deep pools,

man-made water sources to supply the

water for bass, crappie, or catfish. Along

and is the backdrop for the best of

steam engines that moved rapidly across

some of the bigger lakes, bathing houses

Longview’s natural beauty.

the new rails laid between Marshall,

were built to accommodate the new

Longview, Mineola, and points west.

20th century fad of swimming in lakes.

In a conversation with Claire Foster,

Some of those lakes were small, some

At Lake Lamond (between Cotton Street

she told several happy stories of driving

large, some deeper than others, some

and Highway 80, west of Smotherman’s

out to the lakes between Longview and

twisted in shape, some round, but all

nursery,) there are old photos, a few

Marshall and staying overnight with

became stocked with fish and could

postcards, and many locally spun stories

family friends because it was too hot

support a whole new business endeavor

about the bathing houses, decks, and

in the city and the lakes were the ideal

that blossomed in the area… tourism.

restaurants designed to give people a

places to wile away summer days.

ince the earliest days of Awalt,

Vintage photo by H. ARMSTRONG ROBERTS/CLASSICSTOCK

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

69

Lakes have always been a go-to picnic spot, but as our world gets faster, they’ve become a necessity for quality family time and a return to peacefulness.

Even earlier in Longview’s history,

had never been dreamed of. It was at

As the oil industry settled into an

back in the days when Longview was

this point in our city’s story that traffic

established business model, and as

advertised as a “healthy resort” or a

snarls, poverty, criminal activity, and

the crowds dissipated or built homes in

“tourist’s destination” along the dusty

overcrowding affected its landscape

town, the love of lakes remained. With

roads between Shreveport and Dallas, the

as many campsites and bare-bones

the population increase in Longview,

dense trees, abundant gardens, artesian waters, temperate climate, and lakes were marketed for their aesthetic value and the style of living that could be found only in Longview. In those days, Longview offered several notable hotels to accommodate the travelers – the Mobberly, the Palace, and the Gregg Hotel (Conrad Hilton’s second hotel in what became his hotel dynasty.) Many travelers came

boarding houses cropped up around the lakes to accommodate the weary oilfield hands trying to make a buck in those wild, early days of oil. What had been a manageable city of a few thousand, with a neat and serviceable downtown and gentle neighborhoods, turned into a flood of humanity overnight. The lakes around Longview became sustainable resources for transient workers, the fishing was more for need than pleasure,

the need for more water resources became apparent and, once again, lakes proved to be the answer. By 1949, Lake Cherokee was built to supply water to Longview and pump water through the Knox-Lee Power plant. In the middle of that 9-mile long lake a section was created, shallow and cleared of trees, to accommodate the treatment process.

The fishermen and duck hunters of East

to Longview for commercial reasons,

and though the trains were now

Texas thought they were getting a great

usually related to the farming and timber

dependent on coal instead of steam,

little resource for their endeavors, but

industry so prevalent in this area, but

they still blew past at high rates of speed

right on the heels of Lake Cherokee’s

after oil was discovered the area lakes,

bringing pollution and noise to a once

inception came a whole new national

hotels, and restaurants saw a boon that

peaceful area.

pastime – water sports.

Vintage photos by H. ARMSTRONG ROBERTS/CLASSICSTOCK

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

Maybe it was a carryover

pronouncement, the executives at Schlitz

Several are visible to drivers on US

from the creative war-effort

Brewery (one of the nation’s leading beer

Highway 80 between Marshall and Dallas,

breweries in the ‘50s and ‘60s) located

and some are so close they’re but a

a major brewing plant in Longview with

stone’s throw away. Those that are hidden

water skiing became a

the codicil that it receive a dedicated

from view are privately owned. Knowing

genuine East Texas

14” water pipeline from Lake Cherokee.

the history of our area lakes, valuing their

City leaders granted that request, and a

contribution to our ecosystem and our

$15 million dollar plant that employed

humanity, and preserving them for future

wide open spaces of Lake

nearly 600 local folks came into being as

generations are part and parcel of being

Cherokee. It still is today.

one of the greatest economic generators

good citizens of Longview. With so much

Thanks to the engineers who designed

in Longview’s story. Texas Eastman,

attention paid to our regional lakes and

then known as Eastman Chemical, also

water resources from big cities to our west,

created a large lake on its property off

let’s agree to protect and enjoy what we’ve

US Highway 149 and Interstate 20 to

been blessed to receive. Get out of your

accommodate the cooling needs of their

car, go to Teague Park in Longview and

plant. Thanks to serious environmental

walk around the path that winds past the

initiatives enacted by Texas Eastman,

lake. Take your fishing pole one afternoon

their “lake” is now a natural habitat for

after work and drop a line from the shore.

many species of wildlife in addition to

Pack a picnic, sit in the park, and watch

meeting the needs of the vast network of

the geese fly over. Or, the next time the

pipelines at the plant.

East Texas Symphonic Band has a concert

era, but speedboats and

recreation thanks to the

the lake, treatment plants, and just good placement at the base of Chalk Hill, the water coming from Lake Cherokee was deemed by officials who seem to know these things as some of the sweetest tasting water in the state. With that

at the park, go. It’s like a step back in time Today, of the lakes built to accommodate

to sit on the grass, stare at the lake, and

the trains in the 1870s, several are still

hear great music played by neighbors.

meeting the swimming, boating, housing,

At the very least, let’s agree to teach a new

and fishing desires of East Texans.

generation to love our lakes.

Vintage photo by H. ARMSTRONG ROBERTS/CLASSICSTOCK

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Call the

Winning Play!

C HO O S E L ON GV I E W F OR P R E M I E R FAC I L I T I E S A N D DE DIC AT E D S P ORT S T O U R I SM C US T OM E R S E RV IC E 4 4 ATHLETI C F IE L DS

T OURNA M E N T S

• 14 Baseball • 14 Softball • 15 Soccer • 1 Football • Concessions

Hosting, rental, and partnership packages available. Longview hosts more than 70 tournaments each year.

L O C A L A ME NIT IE S

Longview Parks & Recreation Department 903.237.1270 LongviewTexas.gov/Parks

• Playgrounds • 4 Splash Pads • 33 Parks • 10.65 miles of Trails • 6 miles of Mountain Bike Trails • 2 Disc Golf Courses • Hotels • Meeting/Banquet Facilities

Stay connected with

what’s happening in

Longview.

VisitLongviewTexas.com is your online source for what’s happening in Longview. You can also request a Visitors Guide and Festival Guide.

Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Complex

e c r u o S r u Yo s s e l t i m i L of ! s e i t i v i t c A Check out our 2016 Calendar of Events

Rental and Event Information – 903-237-1230

100 Grand Boulevard I Longview, Texas 75604 I MaudeCobb@LongviewTexas.gov I MaudeCobb.LongviewTexas.gov MAIN EXHIBIT HALL – EITELMAN CONFERENCE ROOM – CLASSROOMS – J.R. CURTIS, JR. GARDEN FOR THE BLIND – LONGVIEW EXHIBIT BUILDING – RODEO ARENA

e m o c s B l e u the The T-Bone Walker Blues Festival by any other name would just be a music event. But with East Texas roots so deep they scrape oil, the T-Bone Walker festival reaches into our collective soul and reminds visitors why music transcends generations, cultures, and history.

Hosting the 2-day indoor/outdoor musical feast is a challenge by any standard, but local organizers bring in multiple entertainment aspects to keep festivalgoers plugged in between sets. Legends and up and coming stars mix it up with local musicians to offer an international crowd a taste of the blues they can’t find anywhere west of Dallas.

Hosted at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, the June dates encourage visitors to bring their folding chairs and sit under the stars as they listen to some of the best in the blues industry. Still true to honor the spirit of T-Bone Walker, grandfather to many of those leading the label today, it’s both homage and an exploration of where the blues genre is going into the future. Tickets are reasonable, the fame is growing, and the acts are getting booked well into the next few seasons. It’s a don’t miss event in the ‘View.

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w e i V e h t e to

By Kimberly Fish / Photo by Jim King Photography

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Sam Smead

Jim Tilley

Freeze Your Fanny Bike Tour

PRCA Rodeo

This annual February bicycle tour takes place no matter how cold

The Greggton Rotary Longview PRCA Rodeo is one of the hottest

the weather. Participants willingly “freeze their fannies” for the

tickets in town. Fans say it’s one of the most popular bull-riding,

opportunity for bragging rights when they’ve completed the 10-50

calf-roping, bareback-riding, saddle-bronc-riding, stick-horse-

mile Tour-de-East-Texas. Also includes a 10K runs which begins at

racing, clown-dodging rodeos ever to stir up dust at the Longview

Doris McQueen Primary School, refreshments provided.

Fairgrounds. The Rotarians say it’s just good, family fun. The Longview (Greggton) Rotary hosts this annual spring-time event to the delight of rodeo fans of all ages, and, as their primary fundraiser, allows the Rotary to give $30,000-$50,000 back to

Movie Night at Heritage Plaza

the community in support of local non-profit organizations.

This free event invites everyone to Heritage Plaza to watch a big-screen projected movie, enjoy the ambience, purchase refreshments and savor the opportunity of enjoying a new twist on

Downtown Live!

the idea of going to the movies.

Invigorating the downtown area during the spring and fall are music events hosted on Heritage Plaza during the lunch hour.

Picking the best weather-sensitive dates in the season, organizers

Harvest Festival and Crawfish Boil The largest show of its kind in East Texas, the Texas Cooperative Extension Office junior livestock show, judging and sale is the highlight of the year for area 4H and FFA members.

offer local music in conjunction with the convenient central location. Free and open to the public.

Local Farmer’s Markets The Historic Farmers Market is a traditional farmers’ market and is specifically designed to host locally grown and organic products. The HFM team plants white tents in the parking lot at High and Cotton Streets on a seasonal schedule, and often includes live music and cooking demonstrations 7:30-10:00 on Saturday mornings during the growing season. The Original Farmer’s Market sets up in the extensive exhibit pavilions at the

Gregg County Fairgrounds and brings in a variety of produce and specialty items, most of which are grown in area backyards. With multiple locally grown food purveyors, shoppers find great culinary treasures in a variety of locations.

Sam Smead

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Matthew Nehrling

Juneteenth Celebration and Dance A parade, a dance and a rodeo are among the many fun activities planned each June for this historic occasion, but the most anticipated aspect of the Emancipation Celebration is the annual

Photo courtesy of Hugman Architecture & Construction

Freedom 5K Fun Run, hosted by the Broughton Recreation Center.

ArtsView Children’s Theatre ArtsView Children’s Theatre, established in 2004, is committed to a progressive theatre arts education and outreach program for area children. It provides children’s programs as a way to educate tomorrow’s audiences about the joys of the performing and visual arts. It also nurtures the development of the performing arts in our community through education, and it creates, produces, and performs works that engage the entire family. Productions, summer camps, workshops, after school classes, and seminars are offered throughout the year.

Multi-Cultural Festival

m u e s u M w e i Longv Arts of Fine

The Longview Museum of Fine Arts is a contemporary art

Every autumn, the crossroads of several international cultures converge in Longview. Initiated to bring together various segments of the community’s population, this one-day event showcases performance groups, food specialties and music to reveal the

museum originally formed by the Junior League, with a 300-piece permanent collection, two side galleries housing temporary or

similarities that blend our world.

traveling exhibits which change six times a year, and members’

Texas Shakespeare Festival

receptions and artist lectures the Saturday evening before the

Located just a stone’s throw from the city limits is one of the nation’s premiere summer Shakespeare festivals. Hosted by Kilgore College, this renowned summer tradition brings a variety of high caliber stage productions and gifted actors to a local platform. From The Queen’s Tea to meet and greets with the actors, this is a fun and affordable departure from

new exhibits open to the public. Docent tours are available upon request. A creative learning center next door, ArtWorks, offers classes and hands-on projects for children and adults.

ordinary entertainment.

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Jim King Photography

s a x e t t a e r the g e c a r n o o l l a b Seeing hot air balloons drift across the skyline creates a sense of escape, even for those whose feet are firmly planted on the

The Great Texas Balloon Race, founded by local dentist Dr. Bill Bussey in 1978, has grown from a local gathering of friends to an international competition known as the longest running hot air balloon event in Texas. This world-class competition features sport and special shaped balloons and covers a three-day weekend every summer, from dawn to dusk. Dr. Bussey created the now famous “balloon glow,” and the grounded balloon light-up (a controlled firing of the gas burners that make the balloons rise) has been copied all over the world. When the hot air balloons aren’t competing in races or key grabs, there are a

ground. There’s something adventurous, sentimental, and even a

variety of activities to entertain audiences on the ground. Aircraft

bit romantic about the magic of floating on the air currents, going

entertainment anchor the weekend. There’s always a special

where the wind takes you.

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flights, plane demonstrations, skydivers and great musical “kids land,” craft vendors, and fabulous food. Based at the East Texas Regional airport, details for the event are located at

Matthew Nehrling

Matthew Nehrling

Paul Anderson

East Texas Symphonic Band

of floats, antique cars, marching bands, and independent

The East Texas Symphonic Band (ETSB), founded in 1988, is

displays along the brick streets of Methvin and Whaley. This

a volunteer wind symphony made up of area musicians under

family-friendly event is a cherished local tradition and happens

the direction of conductor Dr. James Snowden. Its music spans

the first Thursday in December.

the entire gamut of symphonic wind literature with a high emphasis on outstanding local musicians as soloists, both vocal and instrumental. The season typically consists of three formal

Zonta Antiques Show

concerts at LeTourneau University’s Belcher Performing Arts

A perennial favorite for antique hunters of all stripes, this event

Center and an informal summer outdoor “Pops in the Park”

typically draws more than 40 vendors of jewelry, carpets, lamps,

concert at Teague Park Amphitheatre.

and furniture to Maude Cobb Activity Center every spring for one of the longest running antiques shows in East Texas. Sponsored by the Zonta Club of Greater East Texas.

Longview Symphony The fully professional Longview Symphony continues an over-40 year tradition of providing classical orchestral music to Longview patrons. Pre-concert educational lectures are held prior to each event and guest artists and soloists perform each year.

The symphony’s guild, Ovation!, raises funds for the symphony through Bach’s Lunches, a lunchtime organ recital in various downtown churches, an Artistry and Architecture tour in April, and its home concert series featuring guest soloists. The symphony also holds annual children’s concerts for area fourth graders. Master classes with guest artists and orchestra soloists are held for qualifying high school and college students.

Christmas at the Courthouse The Gregg County Courthouse becomes an electrical theatre featuring expansive holiday light displays during the Christmas season with two weekends dedicated to downtown family and holiday fun. Concurrently, the Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade, a Main Street Event, leads a long and impressive fleet

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Janet Ragland

LeTourneau University’s S.E. Belcher Performing Arts Center and Chapel In it’s 9th season of offering quality entertainment to the Longview area, The Belcher Performing Arts Center offers a concert series, Vanessa McKellar

special events, a family and school series, and a performance series to categorize the variety of national and regional acts that are hosted

longview re t a e h t t e l l ba

at LETU. With a spring season that includes Dave Barry, Herman’s Hermits, the Texas Tenors, and Seventeen Samurai there is a variety of musical and comic programs to appeal to everyone. With an acoustic environment that is second to none, the Belcher Performing Arts Center has become a gem in the east Texas area for it’s affordable and unique programming options. View performance dates and ticket purchase opportunities at

Longview Ballet Theatre is dedicated to enhancing our community by combining beauty, skill and vision to create innovative and inspiring performances for local audiences. For more than 36 years, Pat George Mitchell, founder and artistic director, has developed the talent of local dancers, several of whom have auditioned and been accepted into renowned programs across

Boat and RV Show Every winter, outdoor enthusiasts descend on Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center for the highly anticipated East Texas Outdoor Expo.

With 60,000 square feet at their disposal, exhibitors show off the latest and greatest in the field of watercrafts, recreational vehicles, fishing and camping accessories. Always a popular draw, there’s an indoor trout tank for kids to practice fishing.

the nation. LBT’s annual performances have been a marriage between company members and world class professional dancers performing such classics as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and George Balanchine’s Serenade.

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Women in Longview Day (WILD) A multi-faceted one-day event with guest speakers and break-out sessions designed to uplift and inform the women who are interested in making life better in Longview, and celebrating those who do.

Sam Smead

Paul Anderson

Theatre Longview

Gregg County Fair

Gushing with great music, the Theatre Longview Company

The Longview Jaycees prepare a weeklong, old-fashioned

brings unique musical entertainment to Longview via several

country fair with carnival rides, games, music, petting zoos,

performances a year. With diverse musical genres from

cotton candy, and corny dogs. Always in mid-September, the

Broadway to symphony, regional artists perform concerts

cooler temperatures bring out families and everyone enjoys the

covering opera/operaetta, musical theatre, gospel and oratario.

variety of good, clean fun.

Neal McCoy’s East Texas Angel Network Benefit Concert Longview resident and country singing star, Neal McCoy, invites his celebrity friends to an annual September concert to raise funds for children with serious illness. Always an anticipated autumn event, Neal revs up the show with fun and good times and the result gives back to his fans, but ultimately to the children close to his heart.

s r e d n o w world of WOW is Longview’s creative, imaginative, and exploratory discovery center for children. Begun as a “museum without walls” and using traveling exhibits, the center is renovating the Texas Furniture location downtown and plans to open a hands-on discovery center designed to reveal Longview’s career and technology elements through interactive play. To stay in touch with the progress, visit

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Paul Anderson

y t n u o c g g gre m u e s u m l a historic

Long a fixture in the downtown marketplace, the Gregg County

Historical Museum resides within a historic bank building with a colorful past. Several permanent and new exhibits enthrall guests with the booms and busts of a town built by a railroad and put on the international map because of oil. With a heritage begun by

Many beloved traditions and events were created in support of the Gregg County Historical Museum and include, but are not limited to: Dalton Days – A family-friendly event recapturing the drama and nail-biting frenzy of one of Longview’s most iconic pages of history, the infamous bank heist by the Bill Dalton Gang.

Recreated at the Longview Arena, and coupled with a fair-styled afternoon of activities, Dalton Days brings the bang and pop excitement that professional actors create when putting Longview citizens in peril, and all straight from local history.

Indians and expanded by settlers, the story of Longview is both rich in mysteries as well as blessed by the generosity of the human spirit.

Landmarks of Longview Tour – During September of each year, several homes and/or businesses of architectural significance are open to the public for a two-day tour benefiting the Gregg County

To learn more about the GCHM permanent events and traveling exhibits, as well as their many community outreach opportunities, visit

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Historical Museum. Always interesting, with a glimpse into the stories behind many of the places distinctive to our local culture, the tour provides an opportunity for an easy day spent in homes that have, or will have, an impact our community’s history.

U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

Tammy Cromer-Campbell

Hannah Meddaugh

ArtWalk Longview

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Several times a year downtown Longview galleries and

Like many in the state, Longview celebrates great history with a

businesses stay open late, and in many cases exhibit art on

great fiesta. This one, held every May at Maude Cobb Convention

the sidewalk, for an after-hours venue designed to showcase

and Activity Center, shakes the party with an East Texas

local art and artisans. ArtWalk provides an urban environment

marimba. In addition to the great food and music, there’s also a

where many retail stores prop open the front door and offer

car show and a beauty pageant.

special purchases to complement the live music and restaurant hopping. It’s family and pet-friendly fun.

Though impossible to list every event, several community organizations create interesting and beneficial fundraisers

The Battle of Fort Crawford and Gum Springs Heritage Festival Experience the everyday life of a Civil War solider in this annual reenactment of the Battle of Fort Crawford. Sanctioned by the Cleburne Division and hosted by the 26th Louisiana Infantry.

throughout the year and each one is an opportunity to support a worthy cause, mingle with neighbors, and have some good ol’ East Texas fun. Please consult the Longview Community Calendar website for a complete calendar and links to event organizers.

Longview Kennel Club Competition Dog breeds from 38 different states, Mexico, and Canada compete in the two-day, two-show Longview Kennel Club License All Breed Dog Show at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center. This exciting, well-mannered, AKC-sanctioned event is great entertainment for children and adults.

Annual LeTourneau Car Show The LeTourneau University Automotive Society presents their annual Car Show with proceeds benefiting missions around the world.

END HERE

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Residential | Commercial | Farms & Ranch G-Certified | Relocation Specialist

Dottie Miles

BROKER | OWNER Our Mission: To provide excellent service to our clients in a friendly, honest and knowledgeable manner, while maintaining a positive, productive and inspiring work environment for our real estate professionals.

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Member

1402 MCCANN RD. | LONGVIEW, TX 75601 | 903-212-9000

WWW.BTHBANK.COM 88

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Hudson Printing, Linotype, c. 1960

Congratulations to the Longview Chamber of Commerce for 100 years of service to Longview

For 57 of those years Hudson Printing & Graphic Design has provided the highest quality printing and graphic design services to our community. Although technology has changed dramatically throughout the decades, our commitment to customer service and excellence in our craft has not. We are honored to be a part of Longview’s past, present, and future.

Printing East Texas since 1959

611 S. Mobberly Avenue • Longview, Texas 75602 903-758-1773 • 800-530-4888 www.hudsonprint.com

Longview

city map

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

GOLF COURSES

5121 N. McCann Rd. • 903-663-4653 j2 ALPINE GOLF CLUB FM 2208 & Smelley Rd. • 903-753-4515 j3 ALPINE TARGET 9-HOLE – LIGHTED 2695 Alpine Rd. • 903-753-1415 j4 THE CHALLENGE AT OAK FOREST 2044 Oak Forest Country Club Dr. • 903-297-3932 j5 PINECREST COUNTRY CLUB j1 WOOD HOLLOW GOLF CLUB

214 Club Dr. • 903-758-5566

HOSPITALS

h1 GOOD SHEPHERD MEDICAL CENTER 700 E. Marshall Ave. • 903-315-2000

h2 LONGVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 2901 N. Fourth St. • 903-758-1818

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL n1 201 E. Tomlinson (Loop 281) FOREST PARK MAGNET SCHOOL n2 1644 N. Eastman Rd. OSTER MIDDLE SCHOOL F n3 1504 MLK Blvd.

JUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL n4 5745 Judson Rd. HIGH SCHOOL n5 P 1005INEW.TREE Fairmont St. PINE TREE JR. HIGH SCHOOL n6 2100 NW Loop 281 MIDDLE SCHOOL n7 P 600INEPineTREE Tree Pkwy.

SPRING HILL SCHOOLS n8 3101 Spring Hill Rd. HALLSVILLE SCHOOLS n9 210 S. Green St. - Hallsville

HIGHER EDUCATION

UT TYLER- LONGVIEW UNIVERSITY CENTER n1 3201 N. Eastman Rd. – Hwy. 259 N. COLLEGE LONGVIEW n2 K300ILGORE S. High St. n3 L ETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY and S. E. BELCHER, JR. CHAPEL AND PERFORMANCE CENTER 2100 S. Mobberly Ave.

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PARKS

AKIN PARK 414 Delwood Dr. SB BROUGHTON PARK SA

801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

CARGILL LONG PARK E. Marshall Ave. & N. Fourth St. SD GUTHRIE/ROTARY SC

PARK Glencrest & Johnston St.

HINSLEY PARK 3101 N. US Hwy. 259 SF INGRAM PARK 10th St. at Pine St. SG J ULIEANNA PARK 906 Reel Rd. SH L OIS JACKSON PARK SE

Bill Owens Pkwy. at Jenny St.

MCWHORTER PARK Toler Rd. at NW Loop 281 SJ R OLLINS PARK SI

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 SK

SWIM CENTER 1001 W. Fairmont St.

LEAR SPORTS COMPLEX & K IDSVIEW

SP

A UNIQUE FAMILY PLAYGROUND

H.G. Mosley Pkwy. & FM 1845

PAUL BOORMAN TRAIL Hwy. 80 to Fairmont St. SR SPRING HILL PARK SQ

& NEAL MCCOY PLAYGROUND Fenton Rd. off George Richey Rd.

705 Ethyl St.

RECREATION CENTERS

PAULA MARTIN JONES 1 BROUGHTON REC 3 H H CENTER REC CENTER

801 MLK Blvd.

GREEN ST. REC 2 H CENTER

1230 B S. High St.

(SENIOR ADULT)

814 S. Green St.

POINTS OF INTEREST

MTRAK lA ATRAIN DEPOT

Pacific & S. Mobberly Ave.

REYHOUND lB GBUS DEPOT

Pacific & S. Mobberly Ave.

l EAST TEXAS C

REGIONAL AIRPORT TX Hwy. 322

LONGVIEW MALL l Loop 281 at McCann Rd. THE VILLAGE l SHOPPING CENTER Judson Rd. & Hollybrook Dr.

J.R. CURTIS GARDEN l • FOR THE BLIND

• MAUDE COBB

ACTIVITY CENTER

l LONGVIEW CHAMBER

• FAIRGROUNDS &

LONGVIEW TOWNE CENTER

D

OF COMMERCE 410 N. Center St.

RODEO ARENA 100 Grand Blvd.

••••••••••••

N East Texas Regional Airport 6 Miles South of I-20

Downtown

1 One Hundred Acres Historical l of Heritage - 1870 Markers are located at l 2 Kelly Plow Company each number.

3 Timber - The First Industry Follow the l markers on l 4 King Cotton the downtown 5 First Baptist Church map and learn l how Longview’s l When Mule Power 6 destiny was

shaped by these events.

Moved People

7 Then Came the Railroad l 8 The Discovery Wells l 9 From Subsistence to l Cash Crops

One Hundred Acres of Heritage

Downtown Points of Interest A Gregg County l Historical Museum

B Longview Museum of Fine Arts l C Heritage Plaza l D Gregg County Courthouse l E City of Longview Offices l and Public Library

F Longview Chamber l of Commerce

10 Banking - The Final Ingredient l 11 First United Methodist Church l

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Longview United

Crisis and Volunteer Opportunities

Within the city limits are numerous, proactive organizations designed to help those in need. Please consult this partial list for volunteer opportunities and extend your heart and helping hands across the greater Longview area.

American Cancer Society (903) 234-0200

The American Cancer Society provides assistance by loaning medical equipment, securing medical transportation as needed, and assisting during medical treatments.

American Heart Association (903) 452-7524

The mission of the AHA is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and to help prevent, treat and defeat Heart disease and stroke – America’s #1 and #3 killers.

American Red Cross (903) 753-2091 www.redcrosslongview.org

The East Texas Piney Woods Chapter of the American Red Cross provides relief to victims of local disasters and helps residents prevent and prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Arc of Gregg County (903) 753-0723 www.arcofgreggco.org

The Arc of Gregg County is committed to expanding opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

Because I Care (903) 759-3349 www.bictexas.org

A volunteer recruitment group which supports the BE THE MATCH Registry for marrow donors.

Boy Scouts of America (903) 597-7201

The Boy Scouts of America – East Texas Area Council instills values in youth and enables them to make ethical choices throughout their lives.

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Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County (903) 234-9130 www.bgcgregg.com

The Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County offers youth in Longview a positive alternative to the streets.

Buckner Children and Family Services (903) 757-9383 www.bucknerchildren.org

A Christian ministry devoted to protecting children, promoting independence, and building strong families.

Community Connections (903) 297-2215

A non-profit resource center.

Community Healthcore (903) 758-2471 www.communityhealthcore.com

Community Healthcore serves thousands of children and adults each year for problems associated with mental health, retardation and substance abuse issues through special programs devoted to helping people lead lives of dignity and independence.

Deaf Action Center (903) 553-9655 www.dactexas.org

The Deaf Action Center is dedicated to removing the barriers that exist for deaf or hard of hearing through a series of comprehensive services.

D.O.R.S. Youth Transition Center (903) 803-0100 www.dorsytc.org

In partnership with Longview Independent School District’s LEAD Academy, D.O.R.S. Youth Transition Center can maximize its services to at-risk and homeless youth. It is the only youth transition center in Longview.

East Texas Angel Network (903) 297-9000 www.eastexasangelnetwork.com

The East Texas Angel Network provides financial assistance to families of children with life-threatening or serious illness; child must be approved before age 18.

East Texas Child Advocates (903) 753-8093

East Texas Child Advocates (ETCA) advocates for child victims of abuse and promotes child abuse prevention through special programs serving Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Rusk and Upshur counties.

East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (903) 753-7633 www.etcada.com

The East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Abuse is a United Way agency that has served the Longview community for over 40 years.

East Texas Council of Governments (903) 984-8641 www.etcog.org East Texas Council of Governments provides services authorized by the Older Americans Act, including senior nutrition, home-delivered meals, transportation, benefit counseling, legal assistance, ombudsmen, caregiver support, emergency response system, and other services.

East Texas Food Bank (903) 597-3663 www.etexfoodbank.org

East Texas Food Bank provides food and grocery products to member agencies that serve the needy.

East Texas Literacy Council (903) 757-9302 www.eastexasliteracycouncil.org

The East Texas Literacy Council, affiliated with ProLiteracy America, works to increase reading, writing and communication skills of Gregg County adults.

East Texas Treatment Center (903) 984-5571 www.ettctx.org

The East Texas Treatment Center is a Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with the purpose of restoring our patients to their highest possible level of independence within the limits of their disability by providing quality therapy services.

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Friends of Partners in Prevention (903) 237-1019

Partners in Prevention is a community organization designed to intercede in the prevention of addictive substance abuse through education and mentoring campaigns.

Girl Scouts of Tejas Council (903) 526-2007 www.girlscouts.org

Girl Scouts is dedicated to building character in girls and skills for success.

Gregg County Self Advocates (903) 753-0723 www.arcofgreggco.org

Texas Advocacy provides training to its members on self-advocacy, selfdetermination, self-directed planning and activities. The Gregg County Self Advocates membership is made up of individuals dealing with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

Goodwill Industries (903) 593-8438 www.texasgoodwills.org

Goodwill’s philosophy is to serve anyone who needs assistance.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission (903) 759-9875 www.hiway80mission.org

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission has offered relief to disadvantaged men through shelter, meals, and training since 1955.

Hope Haven (903) 234-2583

Hope Haven reacts to the emergency needs of women and children with shelter, hot meals and ministry.

Humane Society of Northeast Texas (903) 297-2170 www.hsntx.org

The Humane Society is dedicated to providing a safe haven for animals, inspiring awareness and compassion, and promoting the human-animal bond.

Junior Achievement of East Texas (903) 297-2202 www.longview.ja.org

Junior Achievment educates and inspires young people to value free enterprise, business, and economics to improve the quality of their lives.

Longview Child Development Center (903) 758-3861

The Longview Child Development Center provides quality, affordable childcare to income eligible families.

Longview Community Ministries (903) 753-3561 www.longviewcommunityministries.org Longview Community Ministries enables local congregations and community groups to assist persons in need through six major programs.

Longview Habitat for Humanity (903) 236-0900 www.longviewhabitat.org

Longview Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian organization that builds decent, affordable houses for those eligible.

Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network (903) 234-8343

Longview Interfaith Hospitality Network provides temporary housing, comprehensive case management and on-going supportive services for families in crisis.

Longview Wellness Pointe (903) 758-2610 www.wellnesspointe.com

Longview Wellness Pointe offers health care to income eligible participants, specializing in prenatal care, HIV resources and general care.

Newgate Mission (903) 757-6146 www.newgatemission.org

Newgate Mission offers relief and recovery to individuals in disadvantaged circumstances.

Parenting Resource Center of East Texas (903) 753-7800

Parenting Resource Center of East Texas is a primary prevention organization which provides parenting classes and advocacy intervention for children.

Real Jobs for Youth (903) 757-7544 www.realjobsforyouthinc.org

Promoting inclusive employment opportunities for youth with disabilities, ages 14-29.

Salvation Army (903) 753-4511 www.salvationarmyusa.org

The Salvation Army, on a first-come, first-served basis provides food, clothing, lodging, medication, and emergency travel assistance to persons in need.

See Saw Children’s Place (903) 759-1726 www.seesawchildren.org

See Saw Children’s Place offers safe and affordable childcare for low-income families, including an after-school program.

Texas Department of Human Services (903) 753-0083 www.hhsc.state.tx.us

The Texas Department of Human Services provides Medicaid for deprived children ages 0-18 years, pregnant women and caretakers of deprived children, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), job posting for all jobs in the East Texas area, employment, counseling, clothes, education referrals, and burial assistance for indigents.

United Way of Gregg County (903) 758-0191 www.longviewunitedway.org

The United Way of Gregg Country is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the community by raising funds and allocating resources for outreach organizations, fostering volunteerism and leadership, and encouraging collaborative efforts to create real and lasting change for the people of Longview.

Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center (903) 797-2414 www.windridgetexas.org

Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of children and adults who face mental, emotional, or physical disabilities, or debilitating life situations.

Women’s Center of East Texas/Hope’s Closet (903) 295-7846 www.wc-et.org

The Women’s Center of East Texas provides non-residential assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

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education guide PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Located in the northwest area of Longview, Spring Hill

Gladewater ISD

on four campuses. Spring Hill High School was ranked

(903) 845-6991 • www.gladewaterisd.com

Gladewater ISD administrators, teachers, and staff

members, in partnership with students, parents, and

community members, are dedicated to helping each student prepare for life-long learning and effective citizenship.

ISD serves a student body of approximately 2,000 students #121 in state out of 1,842 schools and #1,510 out of 22,000 nationally. The dedicated faculty creates an atmosphere in which students are taught academic skills and given opportunities to grow, excel and compete in the world.

GISD has an enrollment of 2,020 students in grades PK-12.

White Oak ISD

as Academically Acceptable. Gladewater High School has

White Oak ISD is the only Recognized School District

available in East Texas. GISD requires highly qualified

consistently scored above the state and national average

individual needs of all students.

received Recognized ratings from the Texas Education

Longview ISD

Elementary campuses have been rated Exemplary.

GISD and all campuses have been identified by the TEA

(903) 291-2200 • www.woisd.net

one of the most extensive college dual-enrollment programs

in Gregg and Smith counties. White Oak students have

teachers and administrators dedicated to meeting the

scores on college entrance exams. All campuses have

(903) 758-1728 • www.lisd.org

Longview Independent School District is the largest and

most comprehensive school district in the greater Longview area with over 8,400 students housed on 16 different

Agency. White Oak Middle School and White Oak

Preparing students for success academically, personally,

and socially is the goal of White Oak ISD – “A Heritage of Pride, Tradition and Educational Excellence.”

campuses. The district maintains an outstanding athletic

program for all grades, a fine arts program, and elementary, middle and high school choir, band and orchestra. LISD,

through its diversity and talent, provides programs to meet the needs and interests of all students to help them reach their potential.

Pine Tree ISD

(903) 295-5000 • www.ptisd.org

Pine Tree Independent School District proudly educates

students in Longview, Texas with the mission to continue a tradition of excellence by providing a high-quality

and challenging educational environment, maximizing opportunities for the success of all students, equipping them to become responsible, involved, and productive

citizens. The district, established in 1847, currently consists of six campuses with approximately 4,600 students. Pine

Tree ISD offers a variety of specialty courses and activities

within a comprehensive, rigorous and balanced curriculum.

Spring Hill ISD

(903) 759-4404 • www.springhill.esc7.net

Spring Hill Independent School District, established in

1887, provides education opportunities to promote a safe, challenging learning environment to foster academic excellence, citizenship, and success for all students.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

project-based approach. Crisman offers a certified staff

Christian Heritage School

through LISD. Coordination with private contractors is also

counselor, shared services for OT, PT, and speech services

(903) 663-4151 • www.chslongview.com

an option for medically necessary services. Please visit the

Christian Heritage School was founded upon a tradition

of Christian beliefs. Its mission is to provide excellence in

college preparatory education, working together with the home, to develop within all students the ability to reason

Biblically, while equipping them to fulfill their God-given calling in life. Christian Heritage School has a philosophy

school, tour the facilities, ask questions, and experience for yourself what occurs in the lives of our students on a daily

basis. The Crisman School is a non-profit, 501©3 accredited

by AdvancEd SACS CASI, the largest accrediting body in the world.

of learning grounded in Christian classical education.

East Texas Christian School

difference classical education can make.

East Texas Christian School offers K-4 through 12th grade

The Crisman School

consistent with the Christian faith. ETCS is a member of

(903) 757-7891 • www.etcs.cc

We serve students in grades K-12. Come discover the

on its 24-acre campus and provides a course study

(903) 758-9741 • www.crismanschool.org

the Association of Christian School International (ACSI)

For more than 40 years The Crisman School has worked

and accredited by the International Christian Accrediting

to empower students to recognize their strengths, build

upon those strengths, and to become self-advocates in the pursuit of reaching their full potential. With limited class

size and certified teachers, Crisman make success a reality

daily for students with Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s,

Association (ICAA), recognized by the TEA. The school is

affiliated with TAPPS and CSAC for athletic, fine arts, and

academic competitions. Over 40% of the qualified teaching staff hold masters degrees.

sensory processing delays, and other related disorders.

Longview Christian School

Class Out of the Classroom, Builder’s Club, Core Essential

Founded in 1982, the educators at Longview Christian

Participation in Brain Gym, Student Council, Chess Club, Character Building, and a strong cultural arts program

round out academics that are taught with multi-sensory

(903) 297-3501 • www.lcseagles.com

School strive to assist Christian families with the training of their children by pursuing excellence in faith and

BECAUSE

WHERE YOU GO

MATTERS!

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education. LCS offers a traditional K-12 educational

independent, co-educational day school serving students

from a Biblical worldview. The LCS Early Learning Center

individual interests are encouraged and rewarded,

development and learning in a Christian environment.

Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools and the

program with athletics, fine arts, and drama, all taught

is designed for children 6 weeks – Pre-K and focuses on Our campus is located in the heart of Longview at 1236

Pegues Place and contains separate buildings with large

classrooms for upper and lower grades, a gym/workout facility, a band hall, a library, and a cafeteria.

two years through grade 12. At Trinity each child’s

laying the foundation for a lifetime of achievement. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools maintains accreditation. A 100% college attendance rate is reached each year, proving that these high standards provide students with success in college placement and the transition to college life.

St. Mary’s Catholic School

(903) 753-1657 • www.stmaryslgv.org

St. Mary’s Catholic School has provided students with

quality education rooted in Christ since 1948. St. Mary’s offers a strong academic curriculum supplemented by

special enrichment programs and believes that formation of the human person is best rooted in the biblical

understanding of humanity. St. Mary’s provides an

environment that fosters enthusiasm for lifelong learning in which each student can develop his full potential and practice respect for those of other faith traditions and cultures. The student/teacher ratio is 12:1.

HIGHER EDUCATION East Texas Baptist University (800) 804-ETBU • www.etbu.edu Embracing Faith, Engaging Minds, and Empowering Leaders – this describes the student experience at East Texas Baptist University. The 100-year-old Christian university offers a challenging curriculum in more than 40 areas of study. Students who want to pursue a more intensive learning environment can participate in the University Scholars program. Travel-study opportunities

Trinity School of Texas

allow students to see the world while working toward

For over 50 years, Trinity School of Texas has been an

business, counseling, teacher education, and religion.

(903) 753-0612 • www.trinityschooloftexas.com

their education goals. Graduate programs are offered in

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U N I Q U E LY L O N G V I E W 2 0 1 6

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Jarvis Christian College

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

(903) 769-5700 • www.jarvis.edu Jarvis Christian College, founded in 1912 in Wood County, maintains a proud tradition of progressive leadership and accomplishments. A fully accredited, four-year, private liberal arts college for men and women, Jarvis provides great educational opportunities within the context of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Jarvis awards Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science degrees with a variety of majors and academic concentrations, and also offers dual degree programs.

Kilgore College (903) 753-2642 • www.kilgore.edu Kilgore College-Longview offers college courses designed for transfer to a university; the innovative QUEST program, a fast-track way for adults to earn an associate

The University of Texas at Tyler

Longview University Center The University of Texas at Tyler is now bringing its highly successful industrial technology program, also known as “applied engineering” to its Longview campus.

A bachelor’s degree in industrial technology prepares students for a wide variety of management oriented technical professions. Graduates find positions as a plant manager, inventory manager, technical sales representative, production supervisor, procurement manager, project engineer, safety manager, and industrial engineer.

Nearly 100% of graduates find jobs in the industrial technology field immediately following graduation or are accepted to graduate school.

degree in two years while attending night school; and Workforce Education programs designed to prepare students for immediate careers. The college also provides training programs including Adult Basic Education; GED preparation; ESL classes (free of charge); Continuing Education classes to update job skills; and the Small Business Development Center to counsel, train, and inform small business owners.

LeTourneau University (903) 233-3000 • www.letu.edu LeTourneau University provides more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students from all 50 states and more than 25 nations.

An interdenominational, Christ-centered university, LETU offers academic majors in aviation, business,

Graduates are employed with leading companies in East Texas and across the United States such as Trane Inc., AAON, Inc., Chicago Bridge and Iron, Chevron, Lockheed Martin and Eastman Chemical.

computer science, criminal justice, education, engineering,

Students receive practical experience working with the CAD system, state-of-the-art computer technology, CNC milling machines and metal lathes to create prototypes and participate in other projects.

innovative ways to solve problems that make an impact

health care administration, health science-nursing, human services, kinesiology, the liberal arts, psychology, the sciences and theology. Ingenuity has long been a hallmark of LeTourneau University education as students develop on a global scale. Education is personal at LETU, where students and professors conduct research together, and students often present at professional conferences.

903.663.8100 uttyler.edu/luc 3201 N. Eastman Rd. Longview TX 75605 Criminal Justice | Industrial Technology | Nursing

At LETU, learning involves doing, so LETU students work on hands-on projects in a wide variety of academic disciplines. Global-service learning opportunities, through both missions and research, take students around the world. Graduates are equipped to integrate their faith and work in every workplace in every nation as they see their life’s work as a holy calling with eternal impact.

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Texas State Technical College – Marshall

UT Tyler Longview University Center

(903) 935-1010; (888) 382-8782

(903) 663-8100 • www.uttyler.edu

www.marshall.tstc.edu

The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University

Texas State Technical College Marshall: Uniquely

Center offers degree-completion programs and various

qualified – delivering relevant, up-to-date training in

short courses in its two-story, 25,000 square foot facility

state-of-the-art labs, on-site classrooms, on line, or in high

that houses 10 classrooms, two student study/conference

school classes throughout East Texas for careers currently

rooms, computer laboratory, nursing laboratory, library,

in demand in the region. Those seeking two-year associate

and student commons. Students receive instruction onsite

of applied science degrees, certificate programs to upgrade

and through distance education technology. The university

their skills, or on-the job training will find what they are

offers scholarship opportunities, including Presidential and

looking for. Services include financial aid, scholarships,

Alumni Scholarships to outstanding community/junior

and student housing.

college transfer students.

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Paul G. Boorman Trail offers 2.85 miles for walking, jogging, and biking.

Retire in Longview!

ENJOY REAL EAST TEXAS LIVING IN LONGVIEW, THE REGIONAL HUB FOR CULTURAL, MEDICAL, RETAIL AND BUSINESS SERVICES LOCATED IN THE BEAUTY OF THE TEXAS LAKE COUNTRY. We are pleased that others in our region recognize these traits about the Longview community: outgoing and friendly, hard working, strong family values, laid back, casual, accepting and dependable. From housing to recreation to healthcare and transportation, Longview offers a great quality of life.

For more information about retiring in Longview or to schedule a tour, please visit RetireinLongview.com.

903.753.3281 • Ret i rei n L ong v iew.c om

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