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

Longview Charters First Industry in Texas

1900s

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

1. Longview Charters First Industry in Texas Marker

Inscription. The Kelly Plow Works was reportedly the only non-sawmill industry in the county other than an ice factory. The Kelly plant, supposedly the first chartered industry in Texas, had relocated to Longview from Marion County in 1882. Kelly became well known throughout the South for its popular light turning plow, the Kelly Blue. The plant operated until the 1970s, producing not only plows but also other implements, machines and tools used in agriculture. Other manufacturing soon followed, including a box factory (whose whistle timed the daily lives of residents for at least 40 years), the Longview Mattress and Bedding Company, and the East Texas Pottery Company. Longview Iron Works produced gasoline engines, sawmill machinery and general foundry products.

Erected 2000 by One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 32° 29.743′ N, 94° 44.205′ W. Marker is in Longview, Texas, in Gregg County. It 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.

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: Transportation: Model T's, Trains & Trolleys

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(here, next to this marker); Technology Brings Modern Conveniences (here, next to this marker); The End of the Beginning (here, next to this marker); The Good Old Days (a few steps from this marker); Rails, Timber and Cotton Bring Growth (a few steps from this marker); The Oil Boom Brings Renewal (a few steps from this marker); "Dolly" — Longview's First Fire Engine (a few steps from this marker); World War II & Its Aftermath (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article on Kelly Plow Company. (Submitted on October 1, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Longview Charters First Industry in Texas 1900s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

2. Longview Charters First Industry in Texas 1900s

Kelly Plow Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

3. Kelly Plow Company

Heritage Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

4. Heritage Plaza

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

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 17, 2015

5. 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 1, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 554 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 1, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.