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

Industry Accelerates Economic Growth

1950s

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

1. Industry Accelerates Economic Growth Marker

Inscription. The area's industrial development was greatly enhanced in 1950 when the Texas Eastman petrochemical plant located near Longview. What originally was intended as a small butyraldehyde plant became the city's biggest employer and the second largest petrochemical plant in Texas. Eastman officials selected the Longview site because of an abundance of hydrocarbon raw materials, fresh water availability, railroad lines and a labor force with a high work ethic.
During this time, numerous smaller industrial operations were brought to Longview, supplanting declining oil field and refinery employment. The nonprofit Longview Industrial Districts' business parks attracted several of the new firms.

Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 32° 29.755′ N, 94° 44.202′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. Marker is at the intersection of North Green Street and East Methvin Street, on the left when traveling north on North Green 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. Completing a Century of Development (here,

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next to this marker); Longview Expands Its Influence (here, next to this marker); The Fabulous Fifties (here, next to this marker); A City That Grows (a few steps from this marker); First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom! (a few steps from this marker); World War II & Its Aftermath (a few steps from this marker); The Oil Boom Brings Renewal (a few steps from this marker); The End of the Beginning (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

Industry Accelerates Economic Growth 1950s image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. Industry Accelerates Economic Growth 1950s

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

Heritage Plaza at the intersection of Green & Methvin Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. Heritage Plaza at the intersection of Green & Methvin 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 October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.