Longview,
Washington establishes its borders at the junction of the
Columbia and
Cowlitz rivers. Longview lies along Interstate 5 with
Seattle 47 miles to the north and
Portland,
Oregon 135 miles south. The
Pacific Ocean beaches and scenic
Cascade Mountains are each within a 90-minute drive.
Longview (population 34,660,
2000 Census) is the largest city in
Cowlitz County. This southwestern WA community is the principal city of the
Longview Washington MSA, which includes all of Cowlitz County. Notable
residents affiliated with Longview include
Los Angeles Dodger pitcher
Jason Schmidt and
James P. Fleming, a heroic
Air Force helicopter pilot during the
Vietnam War. The city was also the inspiration for a
Green Day song named “Longview”.
Longview boasts an actively pro-business
environment, where the interests of the community play a significant role in the
vitality of the economy. Located 66 miles from the Pacific Coast, the
Port of Longview offers eight marine terminals capable of handling an
impressive variety of cargo ranging from windmills to logs and steel. Longview
operates a sizeable manufacturing base that continues to diversify as the
community grows. Major manufacturers include
Longview Fibre,
Pacific Lamination, and
Weyerhaeuser.
Eight
public elementary schools, three middle schools, and two public high schools
serve the residents of Longview. In addition, two private parochial schools are
available.
Lower Columbia College (LCC), the first junior college in Washington, has a
wide variety of courses and programs.
Longview features a vibrant downtown district
with tree lined streets and businesses, restaurants, and unique shops. A short
walk to the west of the downtown area reveals the Civic Center. Originally
planned as Longview’s geographic center and focal point, the Civic Center now
holds a listing as a
National Register Historic District. The Center is also the site of a
stately old library building with a beautiful rose garden, Monticello Convention
Markers, a chunk of
Plymouth Rock, and the renowned Knowles paintings found in the lobby of the
Monticello Hotel. Longview has a charming bridge dedicated entirely to the
local squirrel population. “Nutty
Narrows Bridge” includes suspension cables made from wire, with a surface
built out of retired fire hoses.
The beautiful
Lake Sacajawea is perfect for a scenic stroll, before taking in a
performance at the
Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. Golfers have access to the
outstanding
Mint Valley Championship Golf Course, and Longview is home to some of the
nation’s only 18-and-over
casinos. Popular destinations in the region include the
Clark County Amphitheater,
Columbia River Gorge, the
Pacific Ocean Beaches,
Mount Hood,
Mount St. Helens, and
Mount Rainier. Seattle offers sites such as
Lake Washington, the
Museum of Glass, the
Space Needle, and
Washington State History Museum.
Longview,
Washington enjoys its designation as
Tree City, U.S.A.. With a moderate climate and mean average
temperature of 51 degrees, Longview offers a centralized location, modern
amenities, and a charming small-town atmosphere.
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