Longview History, Texas

It was in 1850 when the original site of the city of Longview was initiated on the western outskirts of the region known as Earpville. The foundation was laid by James Earp. During those times, this tiny city had many farmhouses, one blacksmith shop, a post office, a store, a church, a campground, and a stagecoach stop.

In 1870 the famous Southern Pacific Railroad Company bought around 100 acres of land around this region planning to lay down a railroad system and to start a new town. The name of the new town was chosen: Longview, due to the awesome view from the top of the hill. It was January 1871 when the post office was launched and it was the June of the same year when the small town of Longview extended over 1 square mile.

In 1872 the commercial train service started, being the first major step for the city’s long term growth. By the year 1877, various railroads had opened virgin forests to the businessmen for harvesting purposes. The same year 20 saw mills started to make pine lumber in the County of Gregg of which this city was part during those days.

The progress of the city continued for years to come and the expansion of the railroad system always played a major role in its economic growth. By the year, 1910 around 18 passenger trains had their stops in Longview. Between 1920 and 1930 many paved streets and much more modern stuff was brought in. This helped the city be modernized, way before many of its counterparts even knew about these expansions for their cities.

Even though during the 1940s the rest of the United States was suffering from the great depression, Longview was thriving great due to the hard work of the locals. Many 5 star hotels were built during this time and tourism industry started to experience growth by many folds thus helping the economy of the city.