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Welcome to a driving tour of East Texas heritage, where history comes alive through striking architecture, legendary oil booms, and the communities that shaped this region. Long before Texas became a state, the Caddo people built thriving villages in what is now Gregg County, farming the land and trading across East Texas. In the early 1800s, Anglo-American settlers arrived, drawn by fertile soil, towering pines, and new opportunity.
Gregg County was created in 1873 from parts of Upshur and Rusk Counties. The towns of Longview, Gladewatr, and Kilgore, all stops along your driving tour, became the county's population centers as the railroad tracks pushed west and south. Longview soon grew into a bustling railroad hub for cotton, timber and commerce. Everything changed in the 1930s with the discovery of the East Texas Oil Field. Kilgore became the heart of the boom, famous for its forest of derricks and later celebrated nationwide through the Rangerettes. Gladewater surged with oil activity as well, then reinvented itself as the “Antique Capital of East Texas,” known today for its shops, music history, and long-running rodeo. White Oak also expanded during the boom years and remains a proud community that honors its oilfield roots.
Together, these communities tell a story of resilience and transformation. Gregg County blends history with progress, with oil still important alongside growing industries in healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Settle in and enjoy the ride through Gregg County and beyond, where local stories unfold at every turn.
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