The modern-day city of Longview was founded in 1869.[9] In 1870, O.H. Methvin, Sr. sold 100 acres (40ha) to the Southern Pacific Railroad (later the Texas and Pacific Railway) for one dollar to persuade them to build their line in the direction of land he owned. Later that year, he sold another 100 acres (40ha) for $500 in gold. He hoped the coming of the railroad would increase the value of the rest of his land.
Two railroad surveyors coined the name of the town when they stated, "What a long view!" from the porch of Methvin's home. In June 1871, Longview was incorporated as the first town in Gregg County.[10][9]
In 1884, the Mobberly Hotel opened for business servicing railroad travelers and as the center of social gatherings for Longview. The hotel featured cherrywood furniture with carved bed posts, marble-top washstands, linen tablecloths, electric crystal chandeliers, and a fireplace in every room. Mobberly was located in the junction part of town near the train depot. The hotel was destroyed by fire on June 13, 1965.[citation needed]
On May 23, 1894, Bill Dalton and three members of his posse robbed the First National Bank of Longview. Several men died in the resulting gunfight, bandit Jim Wallace along with citizens J. W. McQueen, Charles Learn, and George Buckingham.[11] The robbers escaped with $2,000 in cash and some unsigned bank notes. [12] The Gregg County Historical Museum holds its exhibit on the event within the bank vault which was robbed, and holds a yearly event to mark the anniversary of the occasion.[13]
In the Longview race riot in July 1919, a reporter for The Chicago Defender was in Longview looking into the mysterious death of a black man named Lemuel Walters. An armed white mob attacked a home where the reporter, S.L. Jones, was staying, and attempted to batter their way in. A gunfight began between the attackers and the men in the house. Eventually, Jones made a getaway. The white men then began to burn buildings in the black section of the town.[14]
The Gregg Hotel opened in 1930, and served oil boom customers.[15] It had various operators as a hotel until 1978, when it was converted to dormitories for use by male students of LeTourneau College.[16] Following the 1984 spring semester, the building sat empty except for a barbershop, which also closed in 1986.[17] The building was ultimately demolished in 1995.
In 1942, construction began on the Big Inch pipeline in Longview. From 1943 to 1945, the pipeline transported over 261,000,000 barrels of crude oil to the East Coast.[9] At the time of construction, Big Inch and its smaller twin, Little Inch, comprised the longest petroleum pipeline ever built in the world. Both were integral in supplying the United States' war effort in World War II.
After World War II, Longview's population grew from 24,502 to 40,050 in 1960, its growth fueled by migration from rural Gregg County and the annexation of Greggton and Spring Hill.[18]
In the early 1980s, the City of Longview engaged in a controversial series of annexations aimed at expanding its jurisdiction northward toward the area near East Mountain. On May 8, 1980, Longview passed four annexation ordinances (1309–1312), which included narrow, contiguous extensions of city limits—commonly referred to as “stem” or “strip” annexations. These extensions reached outward in long, thin paths along roadways to connect more distant land tracts, with the apparent goal of enveloping portions of the surrounding utility district and potentially encircling the smaller city of East Mountain.[19][20]
The annexation sparked legal action by the Spring Hill Utility District, which challenged the validity of the city's strategy. The case reached the Texas Supreme Court, which upheld Longview’s method as lawful so long as all annexations were completed within a 90-day window.[21] Despite this legal victory, the city reversed course three years later—issuing de-annexation ordinance 1671 on November 8, 1983—effectively nullifying the controversial annexations. The reasons behind the reversal are not fully documented, but may have included political pressure, local opposition, and concerns over creating a legal or geographic enclave around East Mountain.
Geography
Longview is located within Northeast Texas, a subregion of East Texas. North of Kilgore, and is bordered to the west by the city of White Oak. Longview was founded in Gregg County, and has annexed surrounding land as it has grown in population and area, including a comparatively small area on its east that is within Harrison County.
Climate
Climate data for Longview, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–present)
Longview city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
At the 2010 census, Longview had a population of 80,455. The median age was 34. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 56.2% non-Hispanic White, 22.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 9.5% from some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. About were 18.0% Hispanics or Latinos of any race.[28] In the census of 2000,[6] 73,344 people, 28,363 households, and 19,116 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,341.8 inhabitants per square mile (518.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.10% White, 22.11% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.92% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races; Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 10.31% of the population.
By the 2020 United States census, Longview's population grew to 81,683.[7] Its racial and ethnic makeup per the 2020 census was 49.73% non-Hispanic white, 23.49% Black or African American, 0.31% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian alone, 0.27% some other race, 3.82% multiracial, and 20.75% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[29] Among its population at the 2020 American Community Survey, 52.7% of its population was non-Hispanic white, 22.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian alone, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.1% some other race, 2.7% two or more races, and 20.3% Hispanic of Latino American of any race.[30] The 2020 census and 2020 survey reflected nationwide demographic trends of greater diversification among traditional minority populations.[31][32]
Of the 28,363 households at the 2000 census, 33.2% had children under 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were not families. About 27.9% of all households were individuals who lived alone, and 10.7% of all households were 65 or older and living alone. The average household size was 2.50, and the average family size was 3.06. Among the estimated 31,450 households at the 2020 American Community Survey, the average household size was 2.49; the 19,965 families had an average size of 3.13.[33] Of the households and families estimated, 53.6% were in owner-occupied housing units and 46.4% were renter-occupied.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $33,858, and for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $33,078 versus $21,400 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,676. About 13.0% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over. By 2020, the median household income for Longview residents grew to $50,019, and monthly housing costs were $854.[34]
Longview Public Library operates a main branch, and the Broughton Branch.[39][40]
Longview's cultural district—a 320-acre (130ha) area in downtown Longview which includes museums, restaurants, parks, live music, theater, and historic buildings—was designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2019.[41]
The 29-acre (12ha) Longview Arboretum and Nature Center opened in 2019.[42][43] Among other centers, the city has a vast trail system that is being connected to create 10 consecutive miles of connected walking/biking trails.[44]
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, has been a prominent cultural celebration in Longview for many decades. Celebrating the freedom and emancipation of African-Americans from slavery
Year
Highlights
1985
The City of Longview held its first official Juneteenth parade, marking the start of an annual community tradition.
2024
The Real Cowboy Association hosted its Annual Juneteenth Rodeo at the Longview Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena on June 29, featuring rodeo competitions and educational scholarship fundraising .
2025
City-sponsored festivities on June 14 included a parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, a festival at Broughton Park with food, music, children’s activities, historical information sessions, and a business expo. On June 19, “Juneteenth in the Park” was held at Teague Park from noon to 8 p.m., featuring live entertainment and community engagement. That same day, all City of Longview offices were closed in observance of the holiday.
2025
Local news coverage highlighted the 40‑year anniversary of Longview’s Juneteenth parade, emphasizing its role in bringing together diverse segments of the community for celebration and remembrance.
These events underscore that Juneteenth in Longview is not only a celebration of freedom but also a long-standing community tradition involving parades, cultural performances, educational programming, and civic observances. The City’s official closure on June 19 and sponsorship of festivals affirm the holiday’s significance in local civic life.[45][46][47][48]
Government
Local government
Longview Municipal Building
According to the 2007 comprehensive annual financial report, the city's various funds had $75.9 million in revenues, $87.7 million in expenditures, $47.6 million in total assets, $9.0 million in total liabilities, and $12.2 million in cash in investments.[49]
The city manager as of 2023 is Rolin McPhee.[50] Bonds retired January 31, 2022 and Rolin McPhee became the city manager on February 1.[51] With the addition of McPhee as city manager, the city of Longview underwent some restructuring namely adding an assistant city manager, MaryAnn Hagenbucher.[51]
The service area of Kilgore College includes the independent school districts of Longview, Hallsville, Pine Tree, and Spring Hill (the ones covering sections of Longview).[53]
Public school districts
Longview is served by four school districts.
The following include portions in Gregg County:[54]
Longview Independent School District – enrollment 8,150, 16 schools, home of the Lobos (Spanish for "Wolves"), serves south and northeast Longview
The Gregg County portion of Longview is part of the Tyler-Longview-Lufkin-Nacogdoches designated market area, and the Harrison County portion of Longview is within the Shreveport-Texarkana market.[56]
The city's public transit system, Longview Transit, runs daily routes, excluding Sundays and holidays. Its fixed routes provide transportation to key districts throughout the city.[57]
City of Longview Transit (COLT) provides demand-response transportation services for those who are unable to use the regular Longview Transit fixed-route service.[58]
Rail service
Amtrak passenger rail service is available on the Texas Eagle through a downtown terminal. Longview's Amtrak station is the fifth-busiest in Texas and the fourth-busiest station along the Texas Eagle route.[59] Daily trains between Chicago and San Antonio stop each morning (Chicago–San Antonio) and each evening (San Antonio–Chicago). Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the Longview station serves the Chicago to Los Angeles trains. The return train, Los Angeles to Chicago, stops in Longview on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. It serves about 20–50 passengers per day. From the station, passengers can connect to Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Houston, and Galveston, as well as Shreveport, Louisiana, by motorcoach. A proposal is in the works for a high-speed rail system from Dallas/Fort Worth to Shreveport along the I-20 corridor, bringing passenger rail service to that corridor for the first time since the Texas and Pacific's unnamed successor to the Louisiana Eagle in the late 1960s.[60][61][62]
I-20, Interstate 20, an east–west freeway, connects Longview to Dallas, about 125mi (201km) to the west and to Shreveport, Louisiana, around 60mi (97km) to the east.
US80, 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 in Dallas, making the length only 1,032mi (1,661km). The western part of the route was replaced by I-20 and I-10.
US259, U.S. Highway 259 is a 250-mile-long (400km) north/south highway providing an alternate route to U.S. 59 between Nacogdoches, Texas, and the Oklahoma/Arkansas border just south of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Before Interstate 20, US 259 went through the center of Longview on a route now designated Texas State Highway 31 and Spur 502.
SH31, Texas Highway 31 runs 143.3 miles (230.6km) east/west between Longview and Waco, Texas.
SH300, Texas Highway 300 is a short (18.62-mile (29.97km)) highway connecting Longview to U.S. 271 in Gilmer.
SH281, Texas Highway 281 is a 19.3-mile (31.1km) 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, and eastward around the city.
Spur502, Spur 502 connects north/south traffic between U.S. Hwy 80 in central Longview and U.S. Hwy 259 north of Longview.
Spur63, Spur 63 runs north/south through Longview connecting TX Hwy 31 at its Longview terminus with Spur 502 north of TX Loop 281.
Notable people
Greg Abbott, three-term Governor of Texas, spent early childhood in Longview
1 2 3 Eugene W. McWhorter, "LONGVIEW, TX (GREGG COUNTY)", Handbook of Texas Online, accessed April 12, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
↑ Onion, Rebecca. "Red Summer". Slate. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
↑ "Main Dining Room Displaced by Bed Quarters at Gregg Hotel as Demand for Sleeping Space Here Increases". The Daily News. Longview, TX. April 17, 1931. p.4.
↑ "Downtowner to be LeTourneau Dorm". The Daily News. Longivew, TX. May 15, 1978. p.1.
↑ "Downtown Barbershop Closing"". The Longview News-Journal. July 19, 1986. p.1.
↑ W., MCWHORTER, EUGENE (June 15, 2010). "LONGVIEW, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved July 7, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
↑ "Station: Longview, TX". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
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