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

The Fabulous Fifties

1950s

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

1. The Fabulous Fifties Marker

Inscription. The end of World War II ushered in a long period of national prosperity, and Longview thrived thanks to the East Texas Oil Field and associated natural gas. Construction in Longview during the 1950s rivaled or exceeded that of the 1930s. Major products included a 10-story bank building, new sanctuaries for First Baptist and First Methodist Churches, the Petroleum Building, Jaycee Exhibit building at the Gregg County Fairgrounds, a new high school auditorium and several new school campuses. Major residential subdivisions of the 1950s included Forest Park and Brookwood.
R.G. LeTourneau, an ardent lay evangelist, made a historic contribution to Longview's postwar industrialization by bringing his excavator manufacturing company and plans for creating LeTourneau Technical Institute to Longview in 1946
By decades end, the city's population had increased from 24,502 to 40,050—a 63 percent growth rate.

Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 32° 29.754′ N, 94° 44.2′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas

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, in Gregg County. It is at the intersection of North Green Street and Hoover 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.

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: Longview Expands Its Influence (here, next to this marker); Completing a Century of Development (here, next to this marker); Industry Accelerates Economic Growth (here, next to this marker); World War II & Its Aftermath (a few steps from this marker); The Oil Boom Brings Renewal (a few steps from 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); Transportation: Model T's, Trains & Trolleys (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

The Fabulous Fifties 1950s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. The Fabulous Fifties 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 intersection of Green & Methvin Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. Heritage Plaza at 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 625 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.