June 2022 ~ Jimmy's History of Longview, Texas

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

1909 Longview High School Auditorium

JimmyJune 28, 2022Campus Ward, Copyright Disclaimer, Foster Middle School, LHS 1909, LHS 1928, LISD, Longview Early Grad High, Longview High Schools, Nicholson Memorial Library, SchoolsNo comments

The 1909 Longview High School was located on the corner of present day College St. & Avalon Ave. behind the former Nicholson Memorial Library building. The 1909 building was the first brick high school in Longview. It served the home of the Lobos from 1909 to 1928 when a new high school was constructed (present day Longview Early Graduation High School). The 1909 building served as Campus Ward Elementary School from 1928 - 1944 when it was destroyed by fire. A modern elementary school was built that would later serve as the annex to the then Foster Middle School.

Longview Motor Hotel Health Center Advertisement

JimmyJune 26, 2022Ads, Copyright Disclaimer, Downtown, Downtown Hotel, Hotels, Longview Motor HotelNo comments

This was an ad in a Longview map. Courtesy of Longview Public Library.

Works Progress Administration - WPA

JimmyJune 22, 2022LHS 1932, WPA ProjectsNo comments

Hotel Longview Ad in Football Program - 1957

JimmyJune 20, 2022Ads, Downtown, Downtown Hotel, Hotel Longview II, HotelsNo comments

October 4, 1957

Realigning Estes Parkway, High Street & Mobberly Avenue

JimmyJune 18, 2022Street Work1 comment

The City of Longview is realigning the intersection of Estes Parkway, High Street, and Mobberly Avenue. Work started this year to convert the "Y" intersection into a "T" intersection. Part of this work includes extending Bostic Drive across Green Street and intersect with Mobberly Avenue. Currently Bostic Drive "T" intersects with Green Street, however not for long as the contractors have cleared the new extension as seen in the photograph below.

The cross street with pavement is Green Street. Because of the dirtwork the cracks in the street stand out. To see this kind of deterioration of a city street is shameful. Not even a seal coat! This is not isolated. If you drive through the neighborhood around LeTourneau University you will notice most of the streets are deteriorating. If this had been on the north side this would have been resolved and never allowed to deteriorate to this point. To see a street in this condition is a total embarrassment when I think of the city I love and call home. Shame on you Longview!

LeTourneau University Online Historical Archives

JimmyJune 18, 2022LeTourneau University, Schools, Virtual LibraryNo comments

LeTourneau University has an online museum where the link to copies of the school magazine and videos, documenting Longview back in the day. Check the links out below!

LeTourneau NOW Current Issue
NOW! Magazine by letourneauuniversity Stack - Issuu

LeTourneau NOW Publication
https://archive.org/details/letourneaunow?sort=titleSorter

LeTourneau University Video Archives
https://vimeo.com/letuarchives

Former McDonald's on Estes Parkway

JimmyJune 18, 2022McDonald's - Estes PkwyNo comments

The former McDonald's located at 3118 Estes Parkway was built in 1987. I worked there as a teenager and early 20s from 1996-1999. A new modern building was constructed south on the other side of Interstate 20 and this McDonald's closed in 2022 after 35 years in operation. I've been told this building will be demolished.

When I worked at McDonald's the America's Best Inn was the former Stratford House Inn which was an upscale hotel, and on the other side where the Economy Inn is was the Ramada Inn, also an upper class hotel. Both hotels have bottomed out and will eventually close and more than likely torn down.

Click here for additional photos of this McDonald's.

Dari Creme Ruins

JimmyJune 18, 2022Dari CremeNo comments

The former popular south Longview hamburger joint, Dari Creme, closed in the late 1990s and was converted to a laundromat. At some point it caught fire but was extinguished. It remained closed and at one time a sign promoting a donut shop was painted on the boarded up windows. A severe spring storm rolled through toppling half of the iconic Dari Creme sign. The building was partially demolished and property somewhat cleaned up however outside walls on three sides were left behind.

I used to eat here with my mom. Their hamburgers were the best in town and their french fries were cut from fresh potatoes on site. In some of the photos you will see small round holes where the tables and chairs were connected to the floor. The restrooms had the exact same mosaic tile you see in the photos below. The women's room was on the left and the men's room was on the right (the cleaner one).

I wonder what happened???

Click here to view additional photos I took around the remains of the Dari Creme.

LEDCO Office Building Construction on Site of old LHS - June 18, 2022

JimmyJune 18, 2022Gregg County Historical Museum, LEDCO, LHS 1932, Longview High Schools, Paul Jones, SchoolsNo comments

I visited Longview today meeting up with Paul Jones and Marc Welch at the Gregg County Historical Museum. Marc and I went into the museum to cool off while waiting for Paul. After Paul arrived I purchased the 1965 Lobo annual from him then I headed over and took pictures of the progress of the new LEDCO office building on the site of old Longview High School. For my main Longview High School 1932 album click here.

My Lobo Annual Collection

JimmyJune 18, 2022LISD, Longview Public Library, SchoolsNo comments

Some people collect coins, other collect stamps. I collect Lobo annuals. I love their history, especially of the schools and the businesses that advertise in the back of the books. Here is my collection as of June 28, 2022. I still have a ways to go! A list of years I am missing is listed at the bottom of this page.