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. 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 32° 29.749′ N, 94° 44.202′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: World War II & Its Aftermath (here, next to this marker); A City That Grows (here, next to this marker); First Discovery Wells and Then the Boom! (here, next to this marker); Transportation: Model T's, Trains & Trolleys (a few steps from this marker); Longview Charters First Industry in Texas (a few steps from this marker); The Fabulous Fifties (a few steps from this marker); The End of the Beginning (a few steps from this marker); Longview Expands Its Influence (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

The Oil Boom Brings Renewal 1930s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. The Oil Boom Brings Renewal 1930s

Photo from marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

3. Photo from marker.

Heritage Plaza park (Former Hilton Hotel location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

4. Heritage Plaza park (Former Hilton Hotel location)

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

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. Intersection of Green and 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 625 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.