Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Rails, Timber and Cotton Bring Growth

1870s

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

1. Rails, Timber and Cotton Bring Growth Marker

Inscription. What eventually became the Santa Fe line running south from Longview Junction was begun in 1877 by the locally capitalized Longview and Sabine Valley Railroad Company. As railroads opened virgin forests to harvest, 20 steam-powered sawmills were making pine lumber in Gregg County. By 1877, Barner Brothers Mill at the Junction had about 50 employees and a capacity of 20,000 board feet of lumber per day.
The rail transport, together with barbed wire and other agricultural innovations, allowed an increasing populace to be engaged primarily in growing cotton. Cotton remained the indispensable cash crop and principle foundation of the local economy. Cotton and corn, respectively, occupied about one-half and one-third of the cultivated acreage of Gregg County. The last cotton gin operating in Gregg County was closed in the early 60's by owner, Lester Mackey.

Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 32° 29.738′ N, 94° 44.207′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Green Street and

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

East Methvin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 East Methvin Street, Longview TX 75601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Good Old Days (here, next to this marker); A Railroad Boom Town Settles Down (here, next to this marker); "Dolly" — Longview's First Fire Engine (here, next to this marker); Longview Becomes the Hub for Railroad Expansion (a few steps from this marker); Longview Charters First Industry in Texas (a few steps from this marker); A New County is Born (a few steps from this marker); Technology Brings Modern Conveniences (a few steps from this marker); Transportation: Model T's, Trains & Trolleys (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association on Longview. (Submitted on September 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Rails, Timber and Cotton Bring Growth 1870s image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. Rails, Timber and Cotton Bring Growth 1870s

Photo from marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

3. Photo from marker.

Heritage Plaza park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

4. Heritage Plaza park.

Intersection of Methvin and Green Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. Intersection of Methvin and Green Streets

Heritage Plaza dedication plaque. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

6. Heritage Plaza dedication plaque.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 29, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.