Longview in Gregg County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Oil Boom Brings Renewal
1930s
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015
1. The Oil Boom Brings Renewal Marker
Inscription.
The Oil Boom Brings Renewal. 1930s. Thanks to discovery of the East Texas Oil Field, Longview's population nearly tripled during the next decade, to 13,758 by 1940. While the rest of the nation suffered during the Great Depression. Longview's citizens, businesses and industry, schools and churches thrived. A new courthouse, city hall, post office, public library and community center were built, along with a high school, county hospital (later named Good Shepherd Medical Center) and railroad station. , The five-story Gregg Hotel, opened in 1930 and doubled in size by Conrad Hilton five years later, stood on the present site of Heritage Plaza. Prominent residential developments of the era included Forest Hills, Nugget Hill, Surrey Place and the Mobberly Addition. State Highway 15 was widened and became U.S. Highway 80, nicknamed "Main Street of Texas" across the oil field.
Thanks to discovery of the East Texas Oil Field, Longview's population nearly tripled during the next decade, to 13,758 by 1940. While the rest of the nation suffered during the Great Depression. Longview's citizens, businesses and industry, schools and churches thrived. A new courthouse, city hall, post office, public library and community center were built, along with a high school, county hospital (later named Good Shepherd Medical Center) and railroad station.
The five-story Gregg Hotel, opened in 1930 and doubled in size by Conrad Hilton five years later, stood on the present site of Heritage Plaza. Prominent residential developments of the era included Forest Hills, Nugget Hill, Surrey Place and the Mobberly Addition. State Highway 15 was widened and became U.S. Highway 80, nicknamed "Main Street of Texas" across the oil field.
Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.
Location. 32° 29.749′ 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 right
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when traveling south 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.
4. Heritage Plaza park (Former Hilton Hotel location)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015
5. Intersection of Green and Methvin Streets.
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 410 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.