Longview, Texas

Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 73,344 at the 2000 census, but a 2009 estimate placed the city's population at 78,036. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is situated in East Texas, on the grid of Interstate 20 and U.S. Highways 80 and 259, just north of the Sabine River. Longview is a commercial hub for the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Longview is the principal city of the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger MSA made up of Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk counties (population 271,669). Longview is considered a major hub city in the region, as is the nearby city of Tyler.

Geography


Longview is located at °N, °W (32.509147, -94.753909). Longview is surrounded by many smaller cities and towns including: Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer, Ore City, Hallsville, Harleton, Diana, White Oak, and Lakeport. It is approximately 40 mi east of the similarly sized city of Tyler.

Incorporated areas include Spring Hill, Greggton, Pine Tree, Judson, and Longview Heights.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,344 people, 28,363 households, and 19,116 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,341.8 people per square mile (518.1/km²). There were 30,727 housing units at an average density of 562.1 per square mile (217.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.10% White, 22.11% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.92% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.31% of the population.

There were 28,363 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,858, and the median income for a family was $42,378. Males had a median income of $33,078 versus $21,400 for females. The per capita income for the city was $156,768. About 13.0% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.

Local government
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $75.9 million in Revenues, $87.7 million in expenditures, $47.6 million in total assets, $9.0 million in total liabilities, and $12.2 million in cash in investments.

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:

Libraries
Longview operates two libraries.
 * Longview Public Library
 * Broughton Branch Library

State government
Longview is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Kevin Eltife, District 1, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican David Simpson, District 7.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the Longview District Parole Office in Longview.

Federal government
Longview is part of Texas' US Congressional 1st District, which is currently represented by Republican Louie Gohmert.

The United States Postal Service operates the Longview, Downtown Longview, and Northwest Longview post offices.

Climate
Winter: Winters are mild. Average snowfall is less than 2”. There are usually one or two ice storms each winter. Normal highs are from the 50s-60s. Lows range from 30s to 40s. Temperature rarely dips below 20 and occasionally can get as warm as 80 during the winter months.

Spring: The season brings storms as a transition from winter to summer. Temperatures range from 60s-80s for the high, and 40-60s for the low. The date of the last frost is April 4. Severe thunderstorms are common during this season as cold fronts pass though the area. This is the wettest time of year

Summer: The summertime is hot and humid. Temperatures slowly climb from the 90s to the 100s going into the dog days of summer. Lows are in the 70s. This is the driest and sunniest time of year. Heat index can climb to around 110.

Fall: It’s marked by the first cold front that knocks the 100 degree temps down into the 90s. Fall starts in mid September and lasts until December. Foliage begins to change in late October. Temps start cooling down and dew points begin to drop.

Area Events
Longview is home to some notable annual events.

The Multicultural Festival of Longview is an event that attracts people country-wide. This event is held in the fall by the local Race Relations Committee. They boast a plethora of live entertainment, exhibitors, and cuisine that reflect the many ethnicities and cultures that make up Longview. The 2011 event will be held on October 22, 2011. Go to Multicultural Festival for more information.

The East Texas Boat, RV and Camping Expo attracts people from around the region. This event is held the last weekend in January each year.. E.T. Boat, RV and Camping Expo website

The Zonta Antique Show and Sale is a three day event held on the first weekend in March. One of the most popular antique shows in the region, it attracts antique dealers from all over the country who come to show and sell their antiques and collectibles to the many that attend from across East Texas.

The annual Memorial Day Weekend Motorcycle Rally, otherwise known as Party In The Pines, attracts motorcycle riders and clubs from across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Begun in 2006, the event is growing with added attractions, exhibits and attendees each year. An open rally, all motorcycles and riders are welcome to come and enjoy the nightly music, daily activities, vendors and Sunday Patriotic Motorcycle & Flag parade through the city of Longview. More than 300 motorcycles participate in this parade which is escorted by the Longview Police Department's Motorcycle Traffic Unit. All active military personal in uniform are offered free admission to the event. Rally website

AlleyFest is held on the first weekend of June every year. Begun in 1978 with 39 artists in Historic Bank Alley and called "Alley Art", the show has grown each year. Today AlleyFest includes Alley Art, Alley Run (10K, 5K and 1Mile runs), Music Fest, Kids Fest and a Food Fest. Each year AlleyFest offers special exhibits such as antique car shows, Texas Parks and Wildlife traveling educational program, Budweiser Clydesdales, and others. Music is provided by popular and well known bands and have included Three Dog Night, Jefferson Starship, Percy Sledge, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blue Oyster Cult and more. AlleyFest is a street festival in held in Longview's historic "One Hundred Acres of Heritage" downtown. It is a Real East Texas celebration to the arts and heritage of Longview.AlleyFest website.

The Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July at the East Texas Regional Airport. Begun as a celebration for the new Longview Mall in 1978, it has grown to become a world-class competitive event that attracts the best hot air balloon pilots in the world. Balloon flights begin the event on Friday morning with a flight over the City of Longview. Launch and landing sites change each year as they are always determined by wind and the weather. Balloon Glows on Friday and Saturday night entertain crowds with an awesome display of color and excitement. One of the most popular things to do at the event is to be able to get up close and watch how balloons are inflated and operate. It should be noted that the city's previous logo depicted a hot air balloon. Many of them can still be seen on area water towers and city vehicles. The Great Texas Balloon Race

Airport
East Texas Regional Airport (website) offers service to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport via American Eagle. The airport continues to grow. In 2007 it was designated a foreign trade zone.

The airport is known by pilots around the region for its large 10000 ft. long runway, which purportedly allows it to serve as a backup landing site for U.S. space shuttles.

Public Transportation
The city's public transit system, Longview Transit, runs daily routes, excluding Sundays and holidays. The fixed routes of Longview Transit provide transportation to key districts throughout the city.

City of Longview also operates C.O.L.T. (City of Longview Transit) which provides transportation to eligible passengers as a demand response transportation service. This service is provided for those who are unable to utilize the regular Longview Transit fixed route service.

Rail Service
Amtrak passenger rail service is available on the Texas Eagle through a downtown terminal. Longview's Amtrak rail station is the second busiest in the state of Texas and the fourth busiest station along the Texas Eagle route. The Longview Amtrak station is a connection stop where passengers can connect to the Texas cities of Nacogdoches, Houston and Galveston, as well as Shreveport, Louisiana by motorcoach. Daily trains between Chicago, Illinois and San Antonio stop each morning (Chicago-San Antonio) and each evening (San Antonio-Chicago). Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Longview Amtrak station serves Chicago to Los Angeles trains. The return train, Los Angeles to Chicago stop in Longview on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. It serves about 20-50 passengers per day. A proposal is in the works for a high-speed rail system from Dallas / Ft. Worth to Shreveport along the I-20 corridor.

Longview is served by two freight railroad lines. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad operates two trains daily through Longview. The Union Pacific Railroad has 25 daily trains through Longview's facilities.

The Longview Economic Development Corporation website provides more details about the transportation infrastructure including air, rail, trucking, waterways, and highway information. Many maps are also available.

Roads
One Interstate freeway and two U.S. Highways run through the City of Longview. Four Texas State highways also run into Longview. Two Texas State highway Spurs serve to connect highways in Longview.

♦Interstate 20 is an east/west freeway that connects Longview to Dallas, approx. 125 mi to the west and to Shreveport, Louisiana, approx. 60 mi to the east.

♦U.S. Highway 80, runs through the central district of Longview. U.S. Hwy 80 was once a coast to coast highway from Tybee Beach near Savannah, Georgia and ran continuously across the southern part of the United States to San Diego, California. Today its western terminus is in Dallas, Texas making the length only 1032 mi.

♦U.S. Highway 259 is a 250 mi north/south spur route connecting U.S. 59 from Nacogdoches, Texas and U.S. 59 near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border just south of Forth Smith, AR. Before Interstate 20, US 259 went through the center of Longview on a route that now is designated Texas State Highway 31 and Spur 502

♦Texas Highway 31 runs 143.3 mi east/west between Longview and Waco, Texas.

♦Texas Highway 149 is a 33.9 mi north/south highway connecting Longview with Carthage, Texas.

♦Texas Highway 300 is a short 18.62 mi highway connecting Longview to U.S. 271 in Gilmer, Texas.

♦Texas Highway 281 is a 19.3 mi loop highway that circumnavigates much of Longview from its east connection at I-20 east of the Gregg/Harrison county line to I-20 in Longview. It runs northward, westward, southward and eastward around the city.

♦Spur 502 connects north/south traffic between U.S. Hwy 80 in central Longview and U.S. Hwy 259 north of Longview.

♦Spur 63 runs north/south through Longview connecting TX Hwy 31 at its Longview terminus with Spur 502 north of TX Loop 281.

Longview is accessed easily by I-20. New construction has prompted some major upgrades to the city’s system of roads. Medians have been added to Loop 281 as Phase I of the project is nearing completion. Phase II of the project will upgrade the road to a six lane parkway. Slated to start in 2009 TxDOT has informed Longview officials that the funds have been withdrawn placing Phase II on indefinite hold. TxDOT is researching an outer loop around the north side of Longview to complete the East Texas Hourglass. The road will loop around Longview and Tyler and is slated to start in 2012.

The new I-69, part of the Trans-Texas Corridor TransTex Website, will be passing just east of the Longview area between Longview and Marshall. There has been huge local opposition to the 1/2 mile wide corridor that will include 6 lanes of traffic, along with rail lines and truck-only lanes. The planned I-69 highway will run near or over the current US 59 highway.

Economy








The economy in Longview is healthy. Despite a national downturn in the housing market, Longview has been growing and home prices continue to rise. Some major sectors of the Longview economy include the East Texas Oil Field, services, technology, such as Exponential Networks, and manufacturing. In 2007, Longview added some major chain stores to the north side of the municipality. The addition of Kohl's, two Starbucks, a new Target, a third Wal-Mart supercenter on the south side and a handful of hotels means Longview is becoming a regional hub for shopping. Keeping shoppers in Longview and away from Tyler, Dallas and Shreveport has been an important strategy for the city. Most new construction has been located on the north side around Hawkins Pkwy. and US 259, with lesser development on the south side near Estes Pkwy.

In October 2007, Longview was re-certified as a Texas Urban Main Street City. There are 89 cities in the Texas Main Street Program, 10 of them are Urban Main Street Cities. In December 2007, Longview was awarded the "Certified Retirement Community" designation by the Texas Department of Agriculture through its "Go Texan" initiative. Longview was also included in 2007 in the "Top 100 Best Cities for Young People."

According to the municipal 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Colleges and universities
The city of Longview is home to three institutions of higher learning and two trade (cosmetology) school:
 * LeTourneau University (website)
 * Kilgore College, Longview Campus (website)
 * The University of Texas at Tyler, Longview University Center (website)
 * Texas Barber Institute
 * Mane Concepts

Public school districts
Longview is one of a few cities in Texas that is served by four school districts.

Longview Independent School District Enrollment 8,150. 16 Schools. Home of the Lobos. Serves south and northeast Longview.

Pine Tree Independent School District Enrollment 4,631. 7 Schools. Home of the Pirates. Serves west Longview including Pine Tree and Greggton.

Spring Hill Independent School District Enrollment 1,862. 5 Schools. Home of the Panthers. Serves north Longview in the Spring Hill area.

Hallsville Independent School District Enrollment 4,037. 6 Schools. Home of the Bobcats. Serves far east Longview around Harrison county.

TV Stations
Longview and Gregg County are part of the Tyler-Longview-Lufkin-Nacogdoches DMA (Designated Market Area), DMA #110. The following in-market television stations are available over the air.

The 5 major network stations in the market have local newscasts which all originate from Tyler. KYTX formerly presented a Longview centered newscast,which ended in 2010. The station does still continue to broadcast Longview news from their Longview newsroom,which is said to be the top TV newsroom in the city. The once-daily KFXK newscast is at 9:00 PM weekdays.

The market does not have a dedicated PBS affiliate. The acting PBS affiliate is KERA-TV Dallas, and is available on cable and Dish Network. KLTS, the PBS affiliate from Shreveport, LA, is available on digital cable and over the air in many parts of the city. DirecTV viewers in the market receive the PBS National feed.

In addition to the in-market stations, most areas can receive some or all of the following stations from the Shreveport, LA - Texarkana, TX DMA:

Cable Television/High-Speed Internet

 * Longview Cable Television (website)
 * AT&T ADSL (no VDSL, aka U-verse)
 * Clearwire

Newspaper

 * Longview News-Journal
 * American Classifieds' Thrifty Nickel
 * East Texas Review

Radio
Longview and Gregg County are part of the Tyler-Longview Arbitron Radio Market, market # 145. The following radio stations can be reliably received in most parts of the city.

History
Acknowledgment: This brief history of Longview was written by Nancy Green McWhorter and her husband, Eugene W. McWhorter. Appreciation is gratefully expressed to the Gregg County Historical Foundation and Longview Rotary Endowment Fund, Inc., for permission to incorporate passages from Traditions of the Land: the History of Gregg County and from The Club and the Town: The Rotary Club and the City of Longview, Texas, Year by Year from 1920 to 1995, both books by Eugene McWhorter. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1870–1871
The original site of Longview lay on the western outskirts of Earpville, an early Upshur County community along the old Marshall-Tyler Road (today known as U.S. 80). Founded around 1850 by James Earp, Earpville (pronounced "Arpville") consisted of several farmhouses, a post office, blacksmith shop, a church, one or two stores, stagecoach stop, and a campground.

After the Civil War, the Southern Pacific Railroad Company began to expand toward California from its terminus at Marshall. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company bought a 100 acre tract in April 7 1870 from farmer 0. H. Methvin for one gold dollar, with the promise to lay out a town site on the land in advance of track construction. Inspired by the scenic view from the porch of Methvin's home atop Rock Hill, a railroad surveyor suggested the town name of "Longview." The Longview Post Office was established Jan. 27, 1871. On May 17 1871, the one-square-mile town of Longview was incorporated.

1872–1874




On March 21 1872, the Southern Pacific Railroad Company (no connection to the Southern Pacific operating in 2008), which owned a line between Longview and Waskom on the Texas and Louisiana border, was purchased by the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company. O.H. Methvin had sold another 50 acre for a reported $500 to the railroad to extend its town site further west. On Feb. 22 that year, commercial train service began at Longview with great celebration. The track ended at a locomotive turntable between Center and High streets.

Longview was known nationally as the head of the nation's Southern rail line. Because Longview was the closest rail access to much of the region, business, population, and construction was fueled by wagon traffic coming to Longview from a wide area. The International Railroad Co. was attracted to Longview and established a new track which crossed the Southern Pacific track about 600 ft east of the city limits.

The "Downtown Station" thus had a companion "Junction Station." The Texas & Pacific, which had acquired the Southern Pacific by federal edict, began laying track westward toward Dallas. With the Texas & Pacific joined by what would become the International & Great Northern, railroads made Longview the commercial center for northeast Texas.

1874–1880
What eventually became the Santa Fe line running southeast from Longview Junction was begun in 1877 by the locally capitalized Longview and Sabine Valley Railroad Company. As railroads opened virgin forests to harvest, 20 steam-powered sawmills were making pine lumber in Gregg County.

The rail transport, together with barbed wire and other agricultural innovations, allowed an increasing populace to be engaged primarily in growing cotton. Cotton remained the indispensable cash crop and principle foundation of the local economy.

1880–1900
Greater Longview developed around two focal points, each based on a separate depot on the Texas & Pacific track. The downtown depot was on the west side of Fredonia Street while the Junction depot was near the site of the original International depot. Beginning in 1883, the shortest mule-drawn streetcar line in the nation operated between the two depots. (Until the 1940s, trains stopped at both depots).

The grand Mobberly Hotel was built in 1884 at the Junction. The city's increased wealth brought several banking institutions, including F.J. Harrison and Co., A.E. Clemmons & Sons, and First National Bank. Other establishments serving early Longview residents included Peoples State Bank and the Citizens National Bank. The latter was housed in the Everett Building (built 1910), now home to the Gregg County Historical Museum.

To serve the growing population (2,034 residents by 1900), a volunteer fire department was organized in 1885. Like many other volunteer fire departments of that era, it was a hobby and social club for young civic leaders. The department was based in an octagonal brick building on Tyler Street near the rear of the TAP depot. The department's first engine was called "Dolly" in honor of the former Dolly Northcutt. In 1894, Bill Dalton and his outlaw gang robbed the First National Bank, located across Tyler Street from the fire station. The robbers shot their way out of town on horseback after a gun battle that saw two citizens and one outlaw killed with several others wounded. In 1897, a new courthouse was erected and the local Lacy Telephone Company began serving the community.

1900–1910
Mayor Gabriel Augustus Bodenheim (1873–1957), was known affectionately as "Bodie." He served as mayor 1904–1916 and 1918–1920. During his administration, Longview's first municipal water works, sanitary sewer system and street-paving projects happened. The mayor engineered the long-delayed annexation of Longview Junction, bringing the city's population to 5,000. "Bodie Park" was created in his honor and the Longview Independent School District was created in 1909. The 1883 wooden high school was replaced with a three-story brick building. Three new elementary schools, Northcutt Heights, Ward and First Ward were built in this period.

1910–1920
All the roads leading into Longview were dirt roads and wagon tracts. Railroads remain the city's lifeline. J. Garland Pegues opened the City Garage and was later joined by Julian Hurst who would be come a partner and later sole owner in the mid 1940s. Pegues-Hurst Ford is still owned and managed by descendants of Julian Hurst and in 2008 remained the fourth-oldest Ford dealership in Texas in continuous operation. The City Garage, located near the downtown train station would receive partially assembled new cars by rail and finish the assembly in their garage for final sale. In 1910, there were 18 daily passenger trains stopping in Longview. In 1911, Longview expanded as a rail center a fourth line, the Port Bolivar & Iron Ore railroad was formed. The PB&IO did not last long as the Santa Fe took over the line in 1914. In the 1970s, the PB&I0 right-of-way within Longview was developed as Cargill Long Park - one of the nations first rails to trails projects. In 1912, the city's mule-drawn streetcars became electric trolleys. Longview was the site of the second of 25 racial conflicts race riot that erupted across the United States during the summer of 1919. Like many other conflicts, it was fueled by postwar economic tensions and conflict between European Americans and African Americans. Sensational press about an alleged lynching over an interracial romance fed rumors in the community. Troops were needed to quell the riot.

1920–1930
Paved streets, concrete sidewalks, electric streetlights, municipal garbage collection and a paid fire department with the state's first two pumping trucks were seen in Longview by 1920. The Longview Rotary Club was organized as the city's first service club. A 16 ft-wide strip of asphalt known as State Highway 15 (future U.S. 80) became the first paved road across Gregg County in 1920-21. In 1926, the East Texas Chamber of Commerce was organized and established their headquarters in Longview in a new building near the downtown post office on Methvin Street. In 1929 the Gregg Hotel was built as a five-story hotel. Conrad Hilton purchased the hotel five years later and doubled its size. By the end of the 1920s Longview faced serious economic instability. Cotton profits declined and the lumber industry suffered as local timber was depleted. In January 1929, the Texas & Pacific Railroad moved its division offices and shops to Mineola, TX taking away 700 families - a major portion of Longview's tax base. Then came the Great Depression

1930–1940






Because of Black gold, the Great Depression was barely noticed in East Texas. When oil was found near Rusk, Texas in October 1930, it led to the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field, biggest in the world. Longview's fortunes changed dramatically. A local Longview Realtor, B.A. Skipper, had long believed there was oil beneath the surface in Gregg County. The Longview Chamber of Commerce offered a prize of $10,000 for the first oil well in Gregg County within 12 mi of the city. Skipper and other investors had already begun drilling on a farm owned by Kelly Plow Works manager F.K. Lathrop. On Jan. 28, 1931, the well blew in, capable of producing 18000 oilbbl/d. The Lathrop discovery well, which currently sits with in the Longview City Limits, was the third in East Texas and indicated the possibility of a single field loomed. The field proved to be some 40 mi long and nine miles (14 km) wide. Almost half of the huge field was in Gregg County. The oil boom in East Texas was on.

Longview's Growth
Longview's population which had been decimated with the departure of the Texas & Pacific Railroad, experienced major growth and nearly tripled during the decade, to 13,758 by 1940. With the rest of the country suffering the effects of the Great Depression, Longview thrived. Longview built a new courthouse, city hall, post office, public library, community center, high school, county hospital (later Good Shepherd Medical Center) and railroad station. The five-story Gregg Hotel, which had opened in 1930 and doubled in size by Conrad Hilton in 1935. Heritage Plaza was built on the site of this historic hotel that was razed in the late 1990s. State Highway 15 was widened and became U.S. Highway 80, nicknamed "Main Street of Texas" across the oil field. U.S. Highway 80 eventually would stretch from coast to coast - Tybee Island near Savannah, GA to San Diego, CA.

Heritage Plaza


Heritage Plaza tells the story of Longview and Gregg County with plaques and engraved walls. Heritage Plaza stands on the site of the Gregg Hotel. The hotel opened in 1930. The five-story 64-room hotel cost $128,000 to build. When Conrad Hilton acquired in 1935, the hotel was doubled its size to 128 rooms. It was the second hotel property to be owned by Hilton. The hotel went through several ownership and name changes it was last known as the Downtowner Hotel. The hotel closed in 1976 when it was given to LeTourneau University which used the building for student housing for about two years, then shut it down. LeTourneau razed the historic building and donated the land to the City of Longview. The non-profit organization One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc. raised funds for the construction of Heritage Plaza. At the dedication of Heritage Plaza, a time capsule was buried which will be opened in 2071. The 10 walls on the Plaza tell the history of the first 100 years of Longview from 1871 to 1971. The stories on these walls can be found in brief and detailed version on the Heritage Plaza web page. Heritage Plaza is a City of Longview Park and used by the community for a variety of events such as ribbon cuttings, announcements, celebrations, open air concerts and political/religious meetings.

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Notable people

 * Dr. Bill Bussey, US and World record holder of hot air balloon flights.
 * Rodney Carrington, stand-up comedian, actor, and country music singer.
 * Chris Davis, professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers
 * Evonne Hsu, American-born Taiwanese singer.
 * Chris X. Johnson, American football player for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League.
 * Bill P. Keith, author and former member of the Louisiana State Senate
 * Malcolm Kelly, Wide Receiver for the Washington Redskins.
 * Lee Lacy, professional baseball player from 1972 to 1987 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles
 * Miranda Lambert, country singer-songwriter; born in Longview and raised in nearby Lindale.
 * R.G. LeTourneau, industrialist and founder of LeTourneau University
 * Linda Maxey, musician, first marimbist on the prestigious roster of Columbia Artists Management.
 * Matthew McConaughey, actor, producer and director.
 * Neal McCoy, country singer-songwriter.
 * Charlie Neal, professional baseball player from 1956 to 1963 with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds.
 * Robert Newhouse, a professional football player in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys from 1972 to 1983.
 * Josh Scobee, place-kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
 * Karen Silkwood, union activist who discovered while working for Kerr-McGee that there was evidence of spills, leaks, and missing plutonium. She was the subject of a motion picture, Silkwood, released in 1983.
 * Ben Spies, professional motorcycle road racer.
 * James Street, University of Texas quarterback from 1966 to 1969 - Led the Longhorns to the 1969 NCAA National Championship.
 * Bobby Taylor, Professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to 2005.
 * Jess Todd, professional baseball player for the Cleveland Indians.
 * José Francisco Torres, professional soccer player.
 * Craig Anthony Washington, politician, lawyer - former  Texas state representative, Texas state senator and a U.S. Congressman representing Texas as a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives.
 * David Wesley, professional basketball player from 1995 to 2007.
 * Sam West, professional baseball player from 1927 to 1942.
 * Forest Whitaker, Academy Award winning actor, producer and director.
 * Trent Williams, professional football player for the Washington Redskins.
 * Dan Wright, professional baseball player.

References in popular culture

 * The Folk singer-songwriter Cisco Houston, refers to Longview, Texas and Kilgore, Texas in his song "East Texas Red."
 * The band Lonestar mentions Longview in their 2006 song "Long Lost Smile."