GREGG COUNTY

County Offices
101 East Methvin
Longview 903-758-6181
https://www.co.gregg.tx.us/

Chamber of Commerce
410 N Center Street
Longview 903-237-4000
https://longviewchamber.com/

Gregg County, in northeastern Texas, is bounded on the north by Upshur, on the south by Rusk, on the west by Smith, and on the east by Harrison counties. Longview is the largest city in the county with more than 80,000 residents.

Lifestyle

Located between Dallas and Shreveport, Louisiana, Gregg County is surrounded by several prime sporting lakes that offer exceptional opportunities for fishing and boating. Golf enthusiasts will find a number of fine clubs and courses, both private and public.

Tyler State Park provides 985 acres of pristine woodland around a sparkling spring-fed lake for boating, swimming, picnicking, or camping. The not-for-profit organization, SPORTyler, actively promotes both amateur sports and public recreational activities in this region so rich in natural resources. Those who prefer spending their leisure time shopping will discover a cluster of antique shops in Tyler, although the First Monday Trade Days in nearby Canton never fail to draw enthusiastic crowds. Tyler Market Center is another popular event each month.

Attractions in Gregg County are as diverse as they are attractive. From music to theatre to outdoor activities, Longview has it all. Among the area’s many cultural landmarks are The Longview Museum of Fine Arts, The Longview Ballet and The Longview Symphony Orchestra, these are just a few of the highlights that delight residents and visitors alike. For the avid outdoorsman there are several lakes perfect for fishing, swimming, and boating. Parks are scattered throughout the area providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty while walking, jogging, or cycling.

Housing choices in Gregg County enjoy a variety of settings, from tree-shaded neighborhoods to country manors and properties with generous acreage. The area is particularly beautiful throughout the four seasons, known for its brilliant blooms and attractive landscapes. Gregg County has no match for its beautiful, pine-covered hills, public and private golf courses, trophy-yielding bass lakes, and antique shops. The region has an abundance of community and regional festivals.

Services

Quality educational opportunities are available in and near the county, underlined by excellent public-school districts and options for select private and parochial schools. Several local school districts offer a full spectrum of educational opportunities for local students. With the Longview ISD, Pinetree ISD and Spring Hill ISD serving the families of the county. For those looking for higher educational opportunities, there are a number of local and online opportunities available from state and regional colleges and universities for students of all ages. Gregg County offers a lot of choices including campuses for: LeTourneau University, East Texas Baptist University, Kilgore College-Longview, UT Tyler – Longview University Center, Vista College and Texas State Technical College.

Healthcare options abound in Gregg County. Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview is a not-for-profit, full service, acute-care, 425-bed regional referral center. Good Shepherd Medical Center Longview is also a certified Primary Stroke Center with 24 hour neurosurgery coverage, Longview’s only Center for Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery, A Breast Center of Excellence and an accredited Chest Pain Center with 24/7 Cardiac care. Several other clinics and specialty facilities are located throughout the county.

Communities

Gladewater
City Offices
903-845-2196
https://www.cityofgladewater.com/

Chamber of Commerce
903-845-5501
http://gladewaterchamber.org/

Gladewater is a city of just over 6400 that sits predominantly in Gregg and Upshur counties, with small portions (in the southwest section) lying in Smith County. Gladewater has a total area of 12.2 square miles, of which 11.6 square miles are land and 0.54 square miles, are water. In the early 20th century, Gladewater was an oil boom town. Gladewater is also known as the “Antique Capital of East Texas.” Residents enjoy an enviable quality of life in Gladewater with a broad choice of services available to them. The city is home to a historic downtown that also serves as the center of the community. Newcomers will find the sheer number of antique stores and malls a challenging way to explore and enjoy their community. The city still has an agricultural background and that is still an important part of the area. The city is also famous for its many annual events, which bring in people for all over. Annual festivals include the East Texas Gusher Days in April, the Roundup Rodeo in June and the Arts and Crafts Festival in September. With larger cities a short drive away, residents have quick access to anything they could need.

Kilgore
City Offices
903-894-5081
https://www.cityofkilgore.com/

Chamber of Commerce
903-984-5022
https://www.kilgorechamber.com/

Kilgore is on Interstate 20, 120 miles east of Dallas in Gregg and Rusk County. U.S. Highway 259 and State highways 31, 42, and 135 also traverse the city. The area was first settled before the Civil War by planters from the old South. The East Texas Oil Museum is located on the site of Kilgore College, the museum exhibits show the history oil discovery and production in the early 1930s from the largest oil field inside U.S. boundaries. Kilgore is also the site of Kilgore College, a well-known institution of higher education, with more than 5,000 students. Founded in 1935, it is a publicly supported, two-year, comprehensive community college offering postsecondary educational opportunities. The college is home to the world famous Kilgore Rangerettes dance and drill team. The city is proud of its oil rich history and each Christmas, Kilgore lights up its oil derricks with giant stars on top, helping the city maintain its title as the state’s official “City of Stars.” The lights are turned on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and remain lit until after January 1.

The historic downtown is home to several businesses and residents can enjoy a short stroll to visit them all. The Downtown booms with unique boutiques, local restaurants, and art deco architecture reminiscent of the oil boom period. The mix of restaurants provides an authentic culinary experience within the district. Downtown is also the site of the historic Crim Theatre, which dates to the 1930s. Kilgore hosts a vibrant arts and culture environment with an eclectic and exceptional array of exhibitions, performing arts events, theatre productions, a spring/summer concert series, a film festival, and events with authors and books at the Library. The city offers its residents plenty of outdoor recreational options. The city manages several parks, a skate park and even a city pool. In addition, the city manages Creekside Trail which is part of the Kilgore Trails System. The 2.58 miles of winding path takes walker, runners and bikers through the forest alongside Bighead Creek. Kilgore offers its residents a true down home experience.

Longview
City Offices
903-237-1000
https://www.longviewtexas.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
903-237-4000
https://longviewchamber.com/

Longview is the county seat of Gregg County and is located on the Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 80 corridor that stretches from Dallas/Fort Worth through Shreveport/Bossier City, La., Dallas lies 125 miles west of Longview, and Shreveport is 60 miles east. Longview has a long history in the oil and gas industry and those industries still play a big part in the local economy. Longview is the hub of East Texas outdoor recreation and leisure travel, and is famous for its annual festivals, fine dining and historic downtown. The annual festivals start in June. Alley Fest is an annual art and music festival in downtown Longview. The Great Texas Balloon Race is a competitive event attracting world class hot air balloon pilots from around the world who compete for points toward national and international titles. There are 25 lakes, within 75 miles of Longview, providing many outdoor activities. The Longview area includes a wide variety of shopping, from national retailers to local specialty stores and businesses. Area retail outlets serve not only Longview, but the communities of Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer and other neighboring East Texas cities and towns. The Longview Mall offers shoppers a mix of stores, eateries and entertainment options from both local and national retailers. Between shopping districts, the downtown and surrounding areas, the city offers residents more than a hundred choices.

In addition to shopping and dining, residents have a lot to choose from when it comes to the arts and culture. Longview is home to several museums, including the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. The performing arts are well represented in the city, with the Longview Symphony, Longview Ballet and Theater Longview offering performances throughout the calendar. The young and young at heart will enjoy themselves at the Caldwell Zoo or one of the drive through safari parks in the area. Golf, hiking biking, hunting and fishing are all part of the lifestyle that residents enjoy in this city. The pine forests await those who want to get out and explore. Residents of Longview enjoy an attractive quality of life with a wide range of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Longview is certified as a Texas Urban Main Street City, and also is designated as a Certified Texas Retirement Community. Everything in this city is close to home and residents have no reason to leave town.

White Oak
City Offices
903-759-3936
https://www.cityofwhiteoak.com/

Chamber of Commerce
903-237-4000
https://longviewchamber.com/

Nestled in the rolling hills and piney woods of North East Texas, White Oak is located on US Highway 80 about 125 miles east of Dallas. From clean parks and little league baseball games to the White Oak Roughneck Day Festival, White Oak offers all residents a higher quality of life. White Oak started out as a bedroom community of Longview but has slowly grown into its own modern city. Home to just over 6500 residents this small rural city offers a lot. The city has an easy going style of life that residents truly enjoy. There is a strong sense of community to be found among neighbors and newcomers will find this an easy transition of their lifestyle. White Oak remains a small town, with its advantageous location just west of Longview, White Oak residents are able to enjoy small town living and still conveniently take advantage of cultural and shopping opportunities in a more urban area. Outdoor recreation is readily available in the city, with water skiing, camping, canoeing down the river, bird watching, and fishing all popular pastimes here. The city is home to a nationally recognized school district for excellence. The city also runs two parks with amenities that include a splash pad and concession stand, remote control rock crawling park, pond, walking trail, a 9-hole disc golf course, and pavilions with park benches and grills.