As you pull up to Magrill Plaza at 500 N Green St, know this little patch of green holds a big story.
You’ll notice something new here: an artificial tree installation designed to light up after dark, with glowing branches and leaves.It’s more than a centerpiece. It’s meant to shine a literal light on the long history of Longview’s Black community and the role this place played in it.
An historical marker here explains why this spot matters. Long before Longview became a town, this area was a natural stand of timber. Local tradition says that Freedmen gathered here for worship as early as the 1860s. Then, in 1871, the grove took on even deeper meaning: John R. Magrill sold this one-acre tract to Longview’s African American residents. Acting on their behalf were O.J. Taylor, Silas Billup, and Alick Berry. Over the years, The Grove became an important gathering place for the Black community.
The land’s future wasn’t always certain. In the 1930s, there were efforts to acquire it for oil production, but those attempts failed due to confusion over the title. Eventually, the City of Longview adopted the land for public use, and it became Magrill Plaza.
Crews have replanted trees and refreshed the space with new landscaping, grass, and flowers. You’ll see colorful plantings like drift roses, salvia, vincas, and lantanas, along with updates around the gazebo and flagpole.
The illuminated tree installation was made possible with help from a Union Pacific grant, and city leaders say the goal is simple: to recognize and honor the history rooted right here.