The public is invited to attend the inaugural Longview Walk of Honor Celebration to recognize the significant efforts of Robert and Pauline Cargill, Carl Estes, R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau, Neal McCoy, and Dr. Isaac E. Willis Jr. The Longview Walk of Honor is a new project that will install plaques in the sidewalk throughout the downtown area to honor individuals whose achievements have made a significant historical, cultural, or societal impact in Longview or beyond.
The ceremony and plaque unveiling will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, September 24, at Heritage Plaza, 219 E. Methvin St. The event will include presentations for each honoree.
A Longview Walk of Honor Exhibit will be on display from Sunday, September 24 – Saturday, October 28 during open museum hours at Gregg County Historical Museum, 214 N. Fredonia St. The exhibit will include pictures, stories, and personal items from each honoree.
Robert and Pauline Cargill were involved in the oil and gas business, formed an organization to recruit new businesses to Longview, donated land to create Cargill Long Park, and served in multiple volunteer capacities. Carl Estes was a newspaper publisher and economic development advocate who is credited for recruiting several industries to Longview including Texas Eastman and LeTourneau University. R.G. and Evelyn LeTourneau were the founders of LeTourneau University, and R.G. was a world-famous inventor of giant earth-moving machines, off-shore equipment, and other industrial machinery. Neal McCoy is a multi-award winning country music artist and humanitarian founder of the East Texas Angel Network. Dr. Isaac E. Willis Jr. was a podiatrist and community development advocate that served in a variety of capacities, including the first African American member of the Texas Board of Podiatry Examiners.
The Longview Walk of Honor is the result of the work of the City of Longview’s Walk of Honor Task Force and is based on an idea of Task Force chairperson Tim Patrick. For the selection process, the task force reviewed nominations submitted by the public, task force members, and city staff. The goal is to continue to expand the Walk of Honor with additional honorees throughout the downtown area in years to come. Nominations from the public may be submitted at any time for future consideration.
For more information, please visit: LongviewTexas.gov/Honor