Today, twelve more oil derricks stand on the half-block next to the railroad depot known as the “World’s Richest Acre.” One of them is equipped with a working pump donated by the family of Marvin A. Smith. The East Texas Oil Museum features an authentic recreation of oil production and development in the early 1930s. Its exhibits include Boomtown, USA: a life-size town with shops, people, animals, and machinery that depicts a community shaped by the oil boom.
Oil History and Architecture
The scale of the boom at the time is also evident in the location of the East Texas Oil Field: nearly half of the 200-square-mile field lay in the western third of Gregg County. On December 28, 1930, the Bateman-Crim Wildcat Well No. 1 began operating on the property of the Lou Della Crim Home as the discovery well for this part of the oil field. The house itself is a 1920 bungalow-style residence on the former site of the Hearne Hotel.
Public and private buildings also tell of different chapters in the area’s history. Designed by F. E. Ruffini, the Gregg County Courthouse was completed in 1879; its mansard roof and central clock tower defined the building. By 1932, Gregg County had replaced the brick courthouse with a modern Art Deco building. In Kilgore, the Dean-Keener-Crim House is considered the oldest surviving house; it was designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 1975. The Bumpus House, in turn, combines Colonial Revival details with Craftsman influences in a large residence.
Railroads, Pipelines, and Development
The Kilgore I&GN-Missouri Pacific Railroad Station was completed in 1872 for passenger and freight traffic and as a communications center. Its depot remains a reminder of the importance of rail transportation to the development of Kilgore and East Texas. The Big Inch Pipeline illustrates another dimension of historic oil transportation: during its wartime service in World War II, it transported more than 300,000 barrels of oil per day. It ran from Longview to Norris City, Illinois, and on to refineries in the East.
Museums and Memorial Sites in Kilgore
Two museums in Kilgore preserve different aspects of American cultural history. The Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications features historic television and radio equipment and explores the history of broadcasting from its beginnings to the present. The Rangerette Showcase Museum documents the history of the Kilgore College Rangerettes with films, scrapbooks, costumes, and photographs.
Local history can also be found in cemeteries. Graves at Greenwood Cemetery are connected with the Dalton Gang’s robbery of the First National Bank of Longview and with prominent early figures in Gregg County. Rosedale Cemetery remains in use; it has about 265 unmarked graves and 750 marked graves.
Longview: Parks, Trails, and Local Attractions
The Longview Arboretum is a 26-acre park. It hosts concerts, celebrations, and seasonal events. Behind Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, a trail offers 6.5 miles of hiking and mountain biking routes, with a small lake nearby. Longview offers park and outdoor experiences as well as cultural and historical attractions.
At the Historic Longview Farmers Market, visitors can buy locally grown fruits and vegetables directly from farmers, depending on the season. The Great Texas Balloon Race includes the Bill Bussey Balloon Glow and an annual drone show on Friday and Saturday evenings. Individual program items may change from year to year; check the current event dates when planning your visit. The Texas Shakespeare Festival describes itself as the only professional theater in East Texas.
Discover more destinations: Longview, Kilgore, Gladewater, Duval County, Lavaca, Ellis, Bee County, Gonzales.
For the main travel overview: Texas.
