July 30, 31 & August 1, 2010

Every city has it’s story about how it came to be. Longview, Texas could well be called the “Gold Dollar City.” This is not because of any typical discovery of gold but because of a land transaction for the sum of one gold dollar and which resulted in the founding of Longview.

After the Civil War the railroad resumed its westward progress and was looking for a place to build its next station. O. H. Methvin, a farmer offered 100 acres of land to the railroad for one gold dollar. The condition placed on the deal was that the railroad platt and build a town on those 100 acres. Mr. Methvin did well in the deal by selling the next 50 acres for $500.

The original 100 acres have been designated as Longview’s One Hundred Acres of Heritage. In the heart of this historical district is Heritage Plaza dedicated to the first 100 years of Longview’s history, the Gregg County Historical Museum, Longview Museum of Fine Arts and the Gregg County Courthouse.

Tyler Street is the dividing north-south line of Longview’s 100 acres and was recently re-constructed to become another landmark celebrating the history of this great city. Block by block, Tyler Street was transformed into an ever more appealing destination. In the center a clock tower was erected to commorate the 100 Acres of Heritage. With the conclusion of the project in 2004, could enjoy a pleasing environment in downtown Longview with existing and new businesses there to welcome them.

In the spirit of its name — which was inspired by the view from the porch of O. H. Methvin’s home on top of Rock Hill — Longview has a forward view toward the future, knowing that its friendly folks, pleasing weather, beautiful scenery and ideal location in the Texas Lake Country, offers any visiting group an experience to remember and a reason to return.