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Gregg Hotel

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HOTEL GREGG
File:Downtowner Motor Inn Demolition.jpg
Taken by Jimmy Ramsey
Location in Texas
Location in Texas
Location in Texas
Former names
  • *Hotel Gregg
  • *Hilton Hotel
  • *Hotel Longview
  • *Downtowner Motor Inn
  • *LeToureanu College Residence Hall
Alternative namesDowntowner Hotel
General information
StatusDemolished
TypeHotel
Location215 E. Methvin St.
Longview, Texas
United States
Coordinates32°29′36″N 94°43′45″W / 32.493438°N 94.729146°W / 32.493438; -94.729146
Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.


Construction started1928
Completed1930
Demolished1995
Technical details
Floor count5
Lifts/elevators1
Design and construction
ArchitectEdward F. Nield (1936 Annex)
Other information
Number of rooms1929–1936: 64 1936–1978: 128

1930–1936 Hotel Gregg

Brick laying on the new Hotel Gregg began in early November, 1929. Efforts were made to rush the work to be completed in time for Christmas occupancy so a force of 23 brick layers worked on all four sides of the hotel with an additional 12 added on Monday, November 25, 1929.[1]

Opening of the $120,000 64-room Hotel Gregg officially opened on Friday, February 21, 2018 at 9 p.m. with a dedication banquet with stockholders present.[2] The celebration had great fanfare and nearly every guest room booked. The dedication event lasted from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and over 1,000 in attendance enjoyed a buffet dinner in the coffee shop and dance music by Tyler's Ham Crawford Orchestra with the lobby and dining room opened up for dancing. Red paper hats, whistles and confetti were distributed and guests were given a tour of the building. The Longview Daily News called the event "one of the most auspicious occasions in the history of the city."[3] Guest from all over East Texas including Shreveport, Louisiana attended.

General Manager was J. T. Harris[3] and Ernest G. Gibson was the first Assistant Manager, both formerly of Shreveport, Louisiana.[4] A barber shop opened up in the latter part of 1930 and was located on the ground floor on the east side of the building facing Green Street.[5][6] A beauty parlor opened up in the hotel building on June 19, 1930.[7]

A banquet was held on the evening of June 13, 1930 at 7 p.m. with State Officials which included Texas Governor Dan Moody, Senator Tom Connally, former Governor Pat M. Neff and several other dignitaries. Following the dinner they attended a program at Longview High School located on Green Street.[8]

In March, 1931, North Louisiana Hotel Company sold the Gregg Hotel for $500,000 to the Gregg Hotel Company. The deal included an adjoining lot which the new owners began making plans to construct an eight-story hotel addition and office building.[9] The original plans called for a separate hotel building with the two three floors devoted to office space.[10]

In late spring of 1931, due to the oil boom, hotel occupancy was over 100%. The dining room was converted to guest quarters with temporary partitions between the beds to handle the number of guests.[11]

In the first part of 1931 the rates were raised to a flat $8.00 for all rooms. This resulted in loosing overnight oil field workers to hotels in Tyler.[12] In the summer it was announced by hotel manager Jimmy Powledge in the Longview Daily News that Gregg Hotel decrees big rate slashes effective Monday, June 8, 1931 with prices dropping from $3.50 to $1.50 per night.[13]

In September 1931 a raid by federal agents out of Tyler was conducted at the Gregg Hotel for illegal liquor stored in the house detective's room. The hotel faced being shut down by the agents as a result of the raid. Approximately 60 pints of corn whiskey, 50 pints of bonded whiskey, 10 quarts of Bacardi rum and several gallons of gin was sized.[14]

On March 29, 1934, nearby Hotel Longview caught fire and burned to the ground with a loss of three lives. This left Longview with a shortage of hotel rooms which prompted a proposal to enlarge the Gregg Hotel, pending approval by the Board of Directors of the Longview Hotel Company. On June 13, 1934 an article was written in The Daily News (Longview) explaining the hotel situation as a result of the Hotel Longview fire.[15]

Preliminary plans were drawn up of the new addition by Edward F. Nield, Architect and presented to the hotel Board of Directors. The original architectural drawing had the new addition making the hotel an "L" shape with a rooftop garden. The hotel was placed on the market to any group interested in seeing Longview with increased hotel accommodations at a price that would yield 15% gross profit with a maximum of 10% after depreciation once the new addition was constructed.[15]

After the Hotel Longview fire rumors started going around town that another hotel might be constructed. It was assumed these rumors were based on the Gregg Hotel might not be enlarged. To that effect, the owners were willing to sell the Gregg Hotel to a group interested in constructing a new hotel which would prevent a new building being constructed. The Board of Directors decided to continue with plans to enlarge the Gregg Hotel with the plan that if someone did purchase the building they would take over where the current owners left off in planning, designing, and construction of the new addition.[15]

The owners of the Gregg Hotel did not need the money from the sale of the hotel. They even preferred to keep the hotel and complete the addition. However, when they went over the figures which placed the occupancy at 80% after the Hotel Longview fire but before Hotel Longview burned down Gregg Hotel was averaging 50% occupancy and had to adjust their rates to compete with Hotel Longview's rates of $1.00 per night to maintain that occupancy. If a new first-class hotel was constructed, the Gregg Hotel owners felt would hurt Longview because that would cause competition to reduce rates and reduce occupancy thus forcing one of the hotels to eventually close down due to operating at a loss.[16]

When the Gregg Hotel was originally constructed it did not have private baths in all rooms. Some rooms had connecting baths while others had only a toilet and sink. Plans included adding a private bath in every room of the Gregg Hotel. As of 1934 the rates to stay at the Gregg Hotel ranged from $2.50 to $4.00 per night for single rooms. The corner rooms carried higher rates as they were larger and provided full bathroom facilities. The average rate for a single room was $3.00. These rates were comparable to first class hotels in cities serving oil communities. By the end of 1934 all guest rooms had private bathrooms.[17]

In the November 23, 1934, issue of The Daily News (Longview), Page 1, paper editor Carl Estes published an editorial putting the Gregg Hotel operators in a negative light. Estes pointed out the hotel operators admitted the building was inadequate nor modern.[18]

Events held at Gregg Hotel
1930, February 21: Grand Opening Dedication and Celebration[3]
1930, February 24: Health Conference[19]
1930, June 3: Rotary meeting with speaker Dr. C. W. Werner, former resident of Longview.[20]
1930, June 13: Banquet for state officials at 7 p.m.[8]
1930, June 17(about): Joint luncheon between East Texas Water and Sewer plant operators and East Texas Chamber of Commerce.[21]
1930, July 16: Fertilizer Meeting[22]
1930, July 17: Rotary Club Dinner at 8 p.m.[23]
1930, August 7: Meeting for Chevrolet representatives and salesmen was held.[24]
1930, August 22: Surprise birthday party and dance for young J. T. Harris, Jr.[25]
1930, October 16: Musical Banquet attended by Mrs. C. F. Haywood of Marshall, Texas[26]
1930, November 9: Twilight Musicale at 5 p.m.[27]
1930, November 18: Ms. C. W. Lawrence entertained her daughter Mrs. Joe Boring and three of her daughter's friends which included at lunch at Gregg Hotel.[28]
1930, November 21: Gregg County Teacher's Association Banquet[29]
1930, December 4: Blue Steele and his Victor Recording Orchestra played for a dance.[30]
1930, December 7: Second Twilight Musical at 5 p.m.[31]
1930, December 9: Freddie Martin, 13 year old musical wizard of Texas performed at 7:30 p.m. with music by The Longview Municipal Band.[32][33]
1930, December 22: Tea given by Mrs. J. T. Harris and Mrs. E. C. Gibson and attended by Mrs. L. C. Hudson as a guest.[34]
1930, December 22: Homecoming Dance[35]
1930, December 25: Christmas Dance entertained by Mary Yates Hurst[35]
1931, June 30: Rotarian Gala to install new officers at the Gregg Hotel[36]
1931, May 8: Longview High School graduating class of 1931 was honored by the high school Juniors at the Gregg Hotel[37]

1936–1947 Hilton Hotel

In 1935 Conrad Hilton purchased the Gregg Hotel for approximately $155,000. He started immediate plans to enlarge the hotel making the existing Gregg Hotel the annex to a much larger new hotel building.[38] The new section was the first hotel building in the southwest which included air-conditioning in the construction plans. Construction started in March, 1936 for the new addition.[39]

In April 1936 excavation for the basement of the new addition was completed and pouring concrete for the foundation began. Foundation shafts extended 20 feet into the ground. The new section was 5-stories with the support to add additional floors if needed. The general contractor for the new section was C. S. Lambie and Company.[40]

In early May 1936 construction of the new steel frame began.[41] Brick work began on May 28, 1936.[42]

As of August 13, 1936, workers were laying carpet in the new section, installing bathroom fixtures and tile, and moving furniture into the rooms. Furnishings were made of maple with desks, tables and stands having glass tops. The walls were plaster with a light color paint. The second floor (first guest floor) was the only floor ready for opening date of Friday, August 14, 1936. It was at this time the name of the Gregg Hotel was changed to Hilton Hotel.[43]

The Hilton Hotel Drug Store formally opened in the hotel building on Wednesday, November 4, 1936.[44]

In December, 1936 the Hilton Hotel had a special guest. Famous Texas cowboy and philosopher Silver Dollar Brady registered his horse at the hotel registration desk. Brady's tour was sponsored by Seagram's which was the maker of the Silver Dollar Whiskey.[45]

The Oasis Bar in the hotel provided Budweiser keg beer.[46]

Carl S. McClure was listed as the Hilton Hotel manager.[47]

Car. D. Prather became hotel manager in 1946.[48]

Called Hilton Storage and Services, a new car garage was built in 1937 with the opening date on Monday, January 10, 1938. The garage was located behind the hotel and held about 50 cars with an entrance on the Green Street side at a cost of approximately $15,000. The day manager was Rade Garner and the night manager was Joe Brazel. In addition to parking, services were offered such as washing, greasing, gas and oil. A supply of batteries, tires, tubes, and accessories were kept in stock. An entrance directly to the hotel was provided for guests. The garage was operated 24 hours a day with five employees.[49]

After the Hilton was sold and renamed it would be approximately 40 years before the Hilton brand returned to Longview.

1947–1964 Hotel Longview

In mid-1947 Tom Young and Associates purchased the building from Conrad Hilton. Expansion and renovation plants began immediately in addition to renaming the facility "Hotel Longview".[50] This hotel would be the second hotel to bear the name "Hotel Longview". The first Hotel Longview was located on the corner of N. Green St. and Whaley St. which burned to the ground on March 29, 1934, with the loss of three individuals.

In June, 1954, Earl Hollandsworth and Lee Travis bought the hotel. In addition to the Longview building they also owned the Carlton Hotel in Tyler and Hotel Marshall in Marshall. The hotel was renovated with new carpet and furnishings. Windows throughout were replaced with aluminum casement-type windows. Col. W. B. Hope was the hotel manager.[51]

1964–1978 Downtowner Motor Inn

On May 14, 1964, the new Downtowner Motor Inn sign was erected making the Longview hotel the 65th Downtowner in the Downtowner Motor Inn chain which extended from El Paso, Texas to Rochester, New York. More than $100,000 was invested into renovations of the new Downtowner. Every guest room was redecorated with new drapes and furnishings. Ice machines along with vending machines were installed on every floor. New carpet for the lobby was specially woven for the hotel and it was called most outstanding in the state. Colored aluminum panes were added under every window on the upper floors bringing the hotel "architecture of the 1930s to the futuristic 1970s". A new addition along the front of the hotel was constructed to add new meeting rooms and a location to house Jackson Travel Agency. The official opening date of the newly renovated Downtowner Motor Inn was June 1, 1964.[52]

The cafe, also known as the Plantation Room, had seating for up to 120 persons. The Cherokee Room, largest of the hotel dining facilities, could seat up to 300 diners, and much more in a theater style seating. The Earlee Room was part of the new expansion on the front of the hotel and it was able to seat up to 100 individuals. The Tropical Room sat up to 40 people.[53]

The Downtowner also provided a Health Center at the back of the hotel just above the swimming pool. Anyone could subscribe to an annual membership which entitled use of the year-around swimming pool.[54]

In 1974 the Downtowner hotel building was given to LeTourneau University (LeTourneau College in 1978) by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hollandsworth. The University continued commercial operations of the hotel and dining room. Due to an increase in enrollment in the fall of 1977 and a lack of living space on campus, the University house approximately 40 men on the third floor of the hotel. On May 15, 1978, permanent guests and staff of the Downtowner Motor Inn were notified the hotel would cease commercial operations on July 15, 1978. The University planned to have the hotel converted to a dormitory and ready to house 180 men in the fall of 1978.[55]

The hotel closure did not affect street level tenants such as the Hilton Barber Shop.

1978–1984 LeTourneau College Residence Hall

Beginning with the 1978 autumn semester at LeTourneau College (Now University), the former Downtowner Motor Inn building was converted completely to a dormitory and renamed LeTourneau College Residence Hall. It housed men who attended LeTourneau College. Shuttle busses were provided throughout the day to transport them between the downtown dorm and the campus located on South Mobberly Ave.

The Residence Hall had the charm of a bygone era which regular dorms did not have. Former ballrooms were turned into recreation facilities, a full size swimming pool, large rooms comfortably decorated and furnished.

Due to new dormitories constructed on campus the Residence Hall was closed and put up for sale following the 1984 spring semester signalling the end of an era.

1984–1995 Vacant & Demolition

Hilton Hotel Barbershop originally started as the Gregg Hotel Barber Shop on December 19, 1933. It was renamed Hilton Barber Shop when Conrad Hilton purchased the building. The Hilton Barbershop continued to operate through the hotel's change of ownership, including when the building was converted to a dormitory for LeTounreau University. The spring semester of 1984 saw the end of the hotel as a dormitory. After graduation the men moved out and the hotel building was shuttered, except for one tenant, the Hilton Barbershop. The barbershop continued for another two years as the sole tenant in the vacant hotel building. It finally closed its doors on July 19, 1986. The end of an era, not only for the barber shop but also for the hotel building.[56]

The old Downtowner was demolished in 1995 by Oak Hill Construction out of Chalk Hill, TX. Oak Hill Construction was the same crew that demolished the old Longview High School back in 1988. They even used the same wrecking ball.

Preparations for demolition began in 1994 with the removal and salvage of all of the aluminum windows in the upper floor bedrooms. In January, 1995, small one and two story additions to the hotel were demolished with full demolition commencing on Monday, February 20, 1995, with the wrecking ball taking its first swing at the 5-story structure.

Jimmy Ramsey, a 17-year-old high school student, kept a diary of the early stages of demolition which is summarized below with his permission.

1995, January 30 The crane arrived with the base portion of the boom. The east side section of doors and windows were torn out as well as the door and windows behind the former office of Jackson's World Travels.[57]

1995, January 31 A wood frame was constructed around the building to give protection to pedestrians from falling debris. The bulldozer arrived. The remaining windows and doors on the first floor section in front of the hotel on the Methvin Street side were torn out. On the back side of the hotel facing the alley, the covered walkway and brick wall around the pool were torn down and the doorway on the 2nd floor cooridor was opened up which leads to the stars that gave access to the pool.[57]

1995, February 1 The demolition crew began gutting the interior of the Curtis Building which stood next door to the former Downtowner Hotel.[58]

1995, February 2, 1995 The remaining doors and windows on the first floor of the hotel were removed. The base brick and frame of the second floor window on the west side wall by the fire escape stairs were busted out.[58]

1995, February 6 The demolition of the first floor extension across the front of the hotel building on Methvin Street side began by removal of the roof. Bottom stairs of the fire escape on the west wall had been removed.[59]

1995, February 7 Demolition of the roof of the one story extension was completed. Demolition on the walls began.[59]

1995, February 8 Demolition of the one story extension continued.[60]

1995, February 9 Demolition of the one story extension completed The hotel now is at its appearance during the Hilton Hotel (1936–1953) and Hotel Longview (1953–1964) days.[60]

1995, February 15 The first floor of the entire building was gutted with the exception of a few load-bearing walls.[61]

1995, February 20 Today marked the official demolition of the old Downtowner Hotel with the first swing of the wrecking ball. At approximately 9 a.m. the wrecking ball took its first swing on the southwest corner of the hotel building. The demolition crew completed up to the 3rd row of windows on the Methvin Street (front) side of the building and up to the smaller smokestack on the north side (back) of the hotel.[61]

1995, February 21 The demolition crew completed up to the 5th row of windows on the Methvin Street (front) side of the building and on the alley side (back) up to the addition line between the original 1929 building and the 1936 addition.[61]

1995, February 22 The entire 1936 addition is in a pile of rubble. The building is now at its original appearance when it was the Gregg Hotel from 1929 to 1936.[61]

1995, February 23 The remaining exterior walls were demolished on the 1929 section leaving supports and the elevator shaft.[62]

1995, February 24 I heard water slowly dripping and echoing in the building. My mom referred to it as "A Weeping Giant".[62]

1995–present Heritage Plaza

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 2, 1998, for a new downtown city park to be called Heritage Plaza.[63]

Construction of the Plaza was by K. K. Mobbs.

Even though construction had not yet completed, the first event held at the new Heritage Plaza was on December 30, 1999, was the burial of a time capsule witnessed by more than 150 people. The time capsule has a marker and is to be opened in 2099.

Five years after the former downtown hotel was demolished, Heritage Plaza was formally dedicated on July 20, 2000, once again inviting people to the property that once held a hotel that the hub of downtown.[64]


Heritage Tower, Longview, Texas, June 2, 2018
Heritage Plaza in the foreground with the brick walls depicting the history of Longview. Heritage Tower can be seen in the background.
Longview, Texas | June 2, 2018




Heritage Plaza, Longview, Texas, June 2, 2018
One of the brick walls depicting events in Longview's history constructed with bricks at Heritage Plaza that once lined the streets of downtown Longview

Longview, Texas | June 2, 2018

Elaine Reynolds Stage - 2017
In January, 2017 a new permanent performance stage was constructed at a cost of $39,025. It measures 726-square feet and is made of brick and concrete.[65] The stage was unofficially named for Elaine Reynolds on September 29, 2017 at Downtown Live! where Reynolds was the guest of honor for Elaine Reynolds Night. She was a long time advocate for community events in Longview.[66][67]

Sadly, Reynolds passed away on November 4, 2017 due to an illness. On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Longview City Council voted to make the official name of the stage "Elaine Reynolds Stage" at Heritage Plaza.[68]

Heritage Plaza in Longview, Texas on June 2, 2018
Elaine Reynold Stage at Heritage Plaza
Longview, Texas | June 2, 2018

List of Owners & Operators

1930–1931 Owner: Longview Hotel Company
1929–1931 Operator: North Louisiana Hotel Company (dba Gregg Hotel)
1931–1935 Owner: Gregg Hotel Company (dba Gregg Hotel)[69]
1935–1947 Owner & Operator: Conrad Hilton, Hilton Hotel Company (dba Gregg Hotel, Hilton Hotel)[70]
1947–1954 Owner: Tom Young and Associates (dba Hotel Longview)[50]
1954–1974 Owner: Earl Hollandsworth & Lee Travis (dba Hotel Longview, Downtowner Motor Inn)
1974–2000 Owner: LeTourneau University (dba Downtowner Motor Inn, LeTourneau College Residence Hall)
2000–Current Owner: City of Longview (dba Heritage Plaza)



This article "Gregg Hotel" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Gregg Hotel. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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  1. The Longview Daily News. "Work on Hotel Being Rushed to Completion" November 20, 1929, Page 5
  2. The Longview Daily News. "New Hotel Gregg Open Tonight" February 21, 1930, Page 1
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Longview Daily News. "1000 Attend Opening Hotel Gregg" February 23, 1930, Page 1
  4. The Longview Daily News. "Shreveport Man Assistant Manager of Hotel Gregg" February 11, 1930, Page 1
  5. The Longview Daily News. "Classifieds" November 12, 1930, Page 3
  6. The Longview Daily News. "Gregg Barber Shop Opens for Service" November 4, 1930, Page 1
  7. The Longview Daily News. "New Beauty Parlor Will be Opened" June 17, 1930, Page 5
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Longview Daily News. "State Officials Visit Longview This Evening" June 13, 1930, Page 1, 4
  9. The Marshall Morning News. "Gregg Hotel is Sold For $500,000". March 21, 1931, Page 1
  10. The Shreveport Times. "Plan Another There to Cost About $375,000" March 31, 1931, Page 1, 11
  11. The Daily News (Longview). "Main Dining Room Displaced by Bed Quarters at Gregg Hotel as Demand for Sleeping Space Here Increases". April 17, 1931, Page 4
  12. The Mexia Weekly Herald. "Steve Womack Tells of Exes Now in Tyler" February 30, 1931, Page 3
  13. The Longview Daily News. "Gregg Hotel decrees Big Rate Slashes" June 7, 1931, Page 12
  14. The Marshall Evening Messenger. "Liquor Found in Raid on Gregg Hotel" September 17, 1931, Page 7
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 The Daily News (Longview). "Facts About the Hotel Situation in Longview", June 13, 1934, Page 4
  16. The Daily News (Longview). "Some Facts About the Hotel Situation in Longview that are Worthy of the Best Thought and Judgement of the Local Public-Spirited Citizens...", November 23, 1934, Page 11
  17. The Daily News (Longview). "Announcement of the Management of the Gregg Hotel Company", November 23, 1934, Page 10
  18. The Daily News (Longview). "Editorial by Carl Estes", November 23, 1934, Page 10.
  19. The Longview Daily News. "Public Health Meet to be Held Here Tomorrow" February 23, 1930, Page 1
  20. The Longview Daily News. "Rotarians Hear Dr. C. W. Werner" June 3, 1930, Page 1
  21. The Longview Daily News. "East Texas Water and Sewer Plant Operators Meet Here" June 18, 1930, Page 1
  22. The Longview Daily News. "Here and There" July 17, 1930, Page 6
  23. The Longview Daily News. "Annual Meeting Called by Davis, District Chief" July 16, 1930, Page 1
  24. The Longview Daily News. "Chevrolet Men Hold Meet Here Thursday Night" August 8, 1930, Page 1
  25. The Longview Daily News. "Surprise Birthday Partk" August 24, 1930, Page 3
  26. Marshall News Messenger. "News of Week Over County" October 19, 1930, Page 12
  27. The Longview Daily News. "Meeting of Longview Music Club at Chamber of Commerce is Well Attended" November 7, 1930, Page 3
  28. The Longview Daily News. "Entertains at Lunch for Visitors" November 19, 1930, Page 3
  29. The Longview Daily News. "Fifty-Eight Teachers Hear Dr. T. D. Brooks as Banquet Speaker" November 30, 1930, Page 1
  30. The Longview Daily News. "Here and There" December 4, 1930, Page 4
  31. The Longview Daily News. "Twilight Musicale Sponsored by Longview Music Club Sunday Afternoon Great Success" December 8, 1930, Page 3
  32. The Longview Daily News. "Young Freddie Martin is Well Received Here" December 10, 1930, Page 1
  33. The Longview Daily News. "Municipal Band Gives Concert Here Saturday" December 17, 1930, Page 5
  34. The Longview Daily News. "Social Items of Interest to Many" December 21, 1930, Page 3
  35. 35.0 35.1 The Longview Daily News. "Coming Events in Social Circles Announced" June 13, 1930, Page 3
  36. Longview Morning Journal. "Rotarians Will Meet Here Soon" June 25, 1931, Page 3
  37. The Longview Daily News. "Longview High Juniors Honor 1931 Graduating Class at Gregg Hotel" May 10, 1931, Page 5
  38. The Daily News (Longview), "Longview Assured New, Modern Hotel and Four Lane Highway Into Gladewater", December 4, 1935, Page 1, 3
  39. The Daily News (Longview), "Plans Laid For Demo Meet Here", March 19, 1936, Page 4
  40. The Daily News (Longview), "Pour Concrete on Foundation of Hilton Hotel", April 7, 1936, Page 4
  41. The Daily News (Longview), "Riveting Starts On Hilton Hotel Here", May 19, 1936, Page 1
  42. The Daily News (Longview), "Brick and Steel Work Begins on Hotel Here", May 28, 1936, Page 1
  43. The Daily News (Longview), "New Hilton Hotel Here to Open For First Guests this Week End", August 13, 1936, Page 1, 6
  44. The Daily News (Longview), "Classified invitation", November 3, 1936, Page 4
  45. The Daily News (Longview), "Registers His Horse At The Hilton Here", December 13, 1936, Page 19
  46. The Daily News (Longview), "Classified", August 2, 1937, Page 5
  47. The Daily News (Longview), "Classifieds", October 16, 1938, Page 12
  48. The Daily News (Longview), "Carl Prather New Manager Hilton Hotel", October 15, 1946, Page 1
  49. The Daily News (Longview), "Hilton's Garage to be Ready For Use on Monday", January 9, 1938, Page. 8
  50. 50.0 50.1 The Daily News (Longview), "Welcome News (An Editorial)", June 9, 1947, Page 1
  51. The Longview News-Journal, "'Perpetually New' Slogan at Hotel Longview", January 1, 1959, Page 70
  52. The Daily News (Longview). "Local Hotel Now Downtowner Inn". May 14, 1964, Pages 1 & 2
  53. Longview Morning Journal. "Facilities For Dining Plentiful". May 31, 1964, Page 49
  54. The Daily News (Longview). "Way to Health". June 16, 1964, Page 7
  55. The Daily News (Longview). "Downtowner to be LeTourneau Dorm". May 15, 1978, Page 1
  56. The Longview News-Journal. "Downtown Barbershop Closing". July 19, 1986, Page 1
  57. 57.0 57.1 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 13
  58. 58.0 58.1 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 14
  59. 59.0 59.1 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 15
  60. 60.0 60.1 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 16
  61. 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 17
  62. 62.0 62.1 Journal, Jimmy Ramsey, p. 18
  63. The Longview News-Journal, "Construction of Heritage Plaza Gets 'Green Light'", December 29, 1998, Page 29
  64. The Longview News-Journal, "Heritage Plaza is dedicated in downtown Longview", July 25, 2000, Page 34
  65. The Longview News-Journal, "A Growth Stage", January 30, 2017, Page 1, 3
  66. The Longview News-Journal, "Downtown Stage Would be Named After Longtime Community Events Backer", September 26, 2017, Page A5
  67. The Longview News-Journal, "'Ms. Downtown Longview'", October 6, 2017, Page A1
  68. The Longview News-Journal, "Longview Looses its Quiet Booster", November 6, 2017, Page A1
  69. Corsicana Daily Sun. "Sale of Longview Hotel is Announced" March 21, 1931, Page 1
  70. The Daily News (Longview). "Longview Assured New, Modern Hotel" December 4, 1935, Page 1