Editing Longview, Washington

{{short description|City in Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = City of Longview
|settlement_type          = [[City (Washington)|City]]
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Longviewwa1.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Downtown Longview
|image_map                = Cowlitz_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Longview_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Longview, Washington
|pushpin_map              = 
|pushpin_label_position   = 
<!-- Location ------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz]]
<!-- Government ------->
|government_type          = Council-Manager
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Spencer Boudreau
|leader_title1            = Mayor Pro Tempore
|leader_name1             = Kalei LaFave
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1850s
|established_title2       = [[Municipal Corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = February 14, 1924
|established_title3       = 
|established_date3        = 
<!-- Area ------>
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_53.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 39.71
|area_land_km2            = 38.30
|area_water_km2           = 1.41
|area_total_sq_mi         = 15.33
|area_land_sq_mi          = 14.79
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.54
<!-- Population ----->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 37925
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="Census-Estimate2023">{{cite web |date=May 2024 |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 20,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2023 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-ANNRNK.xlsx  |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 26, 2025}}</ref>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 37818
|population_density_km2   = 1003.73
|population_density_sq_mi = 2599.58
|population_metro         = 110730 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|342th]])
|population_urban         = 
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = -8
|timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -7
|coordinates              = {{coord|46|08|24|N|122|57|45|W|type:city_region:US-WA|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 13
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = ZIP codes
|postal_code              = 98632
|area_code                = [[Area code 360|360]]
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 53-40245
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2410871<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410871}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.mylongview.com|mylongview.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Longview''' is a city in [[Cowlitz County, Washington|Cowlitz County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. It is the principal city of the Longview, Washington [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which encompasses all of Cowlitz County. Longview's population was 37,818 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US5340245 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 16, 2022}}</ref> making it the most populous city in Cowlitz County. The city is located in southwestern Washington, at the junction of the [[Cowlitz River|Cowlitz]] and [[Columbia River|Columbia rivers]]. Longview shares a border with [[Kelso, Washington|Kelso]] to the east, which is the county seat.

The [[Cowlitz Indian Tribe]], a [[List of federally recognized tribes|federally recognized tribe]] of [[Cowlitz people]], is headquartered in Longview.<ref>[http://www.ncai.org/tribal-directory?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keyword=Cowlitz&submit=Search "Tribal Directory."] ''[[National Congress of American Indians]].'' Retrieved September 29, 2013.</ref>

The [[Long-Bell Lumber Company]], led by [[Robert A. Long]], decided to buy a great expanse of timberland in Cowlitz County in 1918. A total of 14,000 workers were needed to run the two large mills as well as [[lumber camp]]s that were planned. The number of workers needed was more than a lumber town, or the nearest town, could provide. Long planned and built a complete city in 1921 that could support a population of up to 50,000 and provide labor for the mills as well as attracting other industries. Several buildings in the city were built from Long's private funds.<ref name="longviewhist"/>

==History==
[[File:LOOKING ACROSS THE COLUMBIA RIVER TOWARD LONGVIEW, WHERE THE KAISER ALUMINUM PLANT AND THE WEYERHAUSER PULP MILL... - NARA - 545020.jpg|thumb|220px|left| [[Reynolds Aluminum]] and [[Weyerhaeuser]] plants in 1972]]
Longview was the location of [[Mount Coffin]], an ancestral burial ground for the local indigenous people.

The first Euro-American settlers were led by Harry and Rebecca Jane Huntington, in 1849. The area was named '''''Monticello''''' in honor of [[Monticello|Thomas Jefferson's home]] in Virginia. In 1852 a group assembled in what would be called the "Monticello Convention" to petition [[United States Congress|Congress]] for statehood to be called "Columbia". Congress agreed to statehood but as Washington, after [[George Washington|President Washington]], to avoid confusion with the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]. A monument to the convention is located near the Longview Civic Center.<ref name="longviewhist">{{cite web|title=Our Community: History|url=https://www.mylongview.com/364/History|publisher=City of Longview|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref> From 1854 to 1865 the town of Monticello was the seat of [[Cowlitz County]], before being destroyed by the flooding of the Cowlitz River in December 1867. In 1865 Nathaniel Stone founded the town of Freeport (a mile upriver from Monticello) which became the seat of Cowlitz County until 1872. The area of the towns of Monticello and Freeport is now part of the city of Longview.<ref name="A History of Cowlitz County">{{cite web|title=A History of Cowlitz County|url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/cities_detail.aspx?i=40|publisher=Cowlitz County|access-date=August 25, 2020}}</ref>

The area remained sparsely populated for nearly 60 years, consisting mostly of farmland and wilderness. In 1918, [[Missouri]] timber baron [[Robert A. Long]] (1850–1934) decided to move his operation out to the west coast, owing to the [[Long-Bell Lumber Company]]'s dwindling supplies in the south. By 1921, [[Wesley Vandercook]] had decided to build a mill near the small town of [[Kelso, Washington]]. It was apparent that Kelso, with a population of barely 2,000, would not be able to support the approximately 14,000 men that would be required to run the mill.

The Long-Bell company contracted with [[George Kessler]], a city planner based in [[St. Louis]], to build the city that would support the two mills that were now planned. Kessler designed the town based on the nation's capital, with elements of Roman City planning. Its theme is rooted in the [[City Beautiful movement]], which influenced urban design in the early 20th century. Longview was officially incorporated on February 14, 1924. At the time of its conception, Longview was the only planned city of its magnitude to have ever been conceived of and built entirely with private funds. A number of prominent buildings in Longview were purchased with R. A. Long's personal funds, including [[R. A. Long High School]], the Longview Public Library, the [[YMCA]] building and the [[Monticello Hotel (Longview, Washington)|Monticello Hotel]].

[[File:Scrap metal recycling facility in Longview, Washington's industrial zone.jpg|thumb|[[Scrap metal]] [[recycling]] facility in Longview's industrial zone]]
The initial growth period, lasting from 1923 to 1934, was very rapid. The city grew from a few thousand people to being the fourth largest city in the state by the 1930s. However, the effects of the [[Great Depression]] hampered further development of the planned city until the booming [[World War II]] economy, when the Port of Longview became a strategic location for loading cargo going into the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theater]].

The [[Allen Street Bridge disaster]], which involved a wooden drawbridge connecting Longview and Kelso, occurred on January 3, 1923. {{As of|2024}}, the event is recognized as the deadliest bridge disaster in the state. The span collapsed under a combination of high, rushing waters of the Cowlitz River, a [[log jam]], and the poor condition of the overpass. The disaster happened during the end of work day, and 17 people were formally listed as having died due to the event.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eals |first1=Clay |title=Kelso bridge collapse 101 years ago still ranks as Washington's deadliest |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/kelso-bridge-collapse-101-years-ago-still-ranks-as-washingtons-deadliest/ |access-date=May 20, 2024 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

Suburban developments created neighborhoods in the western valley in the 1960s. The local economy has been in decline since lumber companies mechanized production in the 1970s and 1980s, reducing the availability of jobs. No major development occurred until a brief boom in the early 2000s, ended by the [[Great Recession|recession of the late 2000s]].

Recently, an initiative from local activists has pushed to implement a new strategic plan to increase development in the city, in an effort to expand affordable housing.

==Government==
The city has seven council members with one serving as the mayor as well as a city manager.<ref>https://www.mylongview.com/519/Organizational-Structure -government</ref>
The city council elects a mayor out of themselves every two years. The mayor runs the council meetings, and serves as the ceremonial figure head of the city. Day-to-day operations are conducted by the City Manager, who is hired by the city council.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.79|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|14.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.30|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601072332/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=June 1, 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Lewis and Clark Bridge (Columbia River)|Lewis and Clark Bridge]] spans the Columbia River, linking Longview to [[Rainier, Oregon]]. It is the only bridge spanning the river between [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] and [[Astoria, Oregon]].

===Climate===
Longview is located in a small gorge, so its climate varies from that of its close neighbor, [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]. Longview is generally about {{convert|7|F-change|0}} cooler than Portland. Located about {{convert|80|mi|km}} inland across a stretch of relatively flat ground, the Longview skies can be overcast due to moisture from the Pacific Coast [[marine layer]]. The Columbia River gorge permits an exchange of air between eastern and western Washington. The direction and speed of air movement through the gorge is determined primarily by the pressure gradient between the eastern and western slopes of the mountains. Due to the gorge-like effect, marine pushes on summer evenings can frequently reach gusts up to {{convert|30|to|40|mph|km/h}} There have been gusts of up to {{convert|90|to|100|mph|km/h}}, and over {{convert|100|mph|km/h}} at higher elevations.

Fall is usually cooler but foggy; on some days the fog never clears. By early-to-mid November, rainfall begins in typical [[Pacific Northwest|Northwest]] fashion. Winter tends to be chilly and rainy, with occasional violent windstorms or spates of unusually warm—{{convert|65|to|70|F|C}}—temperatures. This is due to extremely warm air coming from the [[Pineapple Express]] which can drop {{convert|3|to|6|in|mm}} of rain in a matter of days. Each year there are one or two snowfalls, typically less than {{convert|6|in|cm}} but up to {{convert|1|m|ft|0}} in the surrounding foothills. Spring is warmer, but still a little wet; this is the most common time for the occasional [[thunderstorm]]s.<ref>http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/WASHINGTON.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502220830/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/WASHINGTON.htm |date=May 2, 2007 }} -Weather:"EAST OLYMPIC-CASCADE FOOTHILLS"</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Longview, Washington, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1925–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 65
|Feb record high F = 73
|Mar record high F = 82
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 99
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 104
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 76
|Dec record high F = 64

|Jan avg record high F = 57.5
|Feb avg record high F = 63.2
|Mar avg record high F = 69.9
|Apr avg record high F = 78.9
|May avg record high F = 87.0
|Jun avg record high F = 89.3
|Jul avg record high F = 94.4
|Aug avg record high F = 95.0
|Sep avg record high F = 89.4
|Oct avg record high F = 76.6
|Nov avg record high F = 63.5
|Dec avg record high F = 56.4
|year avg record high F = 98.4

|Jan high F = 47.7
|Feb high F = 52.0
|Mar high F = 56.9
|Apr high F = 62.1
|May high F = 68.8
|Jun high F = 72.9
|Jul high F = 79.3
|Aug high F = 80.4
|Sep high F = 75.7
|Oct high F = 64.0
|Nov high F = 53.1
|Dec high F = 46.6
|year high F = 

|Jan mean F = 41.4
|Feb mean F = 43.4
|Mar mean F = 47.2
|Apr mean F = 51.2
|May mean F = 57.1
|Jun mean F = 61.2
|Jul mean F = 66.4
|Aug mean F = 66.9
|Sep mean F = 62.6
|Oct mean F = 54.0
|Nov mean F = 45.8
|Dec mean F = 40.7
|year mean F = 

|Jan low F = 35.1
|Feb low F = 34.7
|Mar low F = 37.5
|Apr low F = 40.4
|May low F = 45.3
|Jun low F = 49.5
|Jul low F = 53.4
|Aug low F = 53.3
|Sep low F = 49.6
|Oct low F = 44.1
|Nov low F = 38.6
|Dec low F = 34.8
|year low F = 

|Jan avg record low F = 24.4
|Feb avg record low F = 25.0
|Mar avg record low F = 29.0
|Apr avg record low F = 31.9
|May avg record low F = 37.1
|Jun avg record low F = 42.0
|Jul avg record low F = 46.3
|Aug avg record low F = 46.2
|Sep avg record low F = 41.1
|Oct avg record low F = 33.3
|Nov avg record low F = 26.9
|Dec avg record low F = 23.1
|year avg record low F = 19.3

|Jan record low F = -6
|Feb record low F = 2
|Mar record low F = 19
|Apr record low F = 24
|May record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 30
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 35
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 23
|Nov record low F = 8
|Dec record low F = 4

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 6.53
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.81
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.91
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.08
|May precipitation inch = 3.11
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.03
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.63
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.97
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.29
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.38
|Nov precipitation inch = 7.24
|Dec precipitation inch = 7.14
|year precipitation inch = 

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 23.9
|Feb precipitation days = 19.6
|Mar precipitation days = 21.4
|Apr precipitation days = 19.3
|May precipitation days = 13.6
|Jun precipitation days = 11.3
|Jul precipitation days = 4.7
|Aug precipitation days = 5.2
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 17.4
|Nov precipitation days = 22.8
|Dec precipitation days = 24.3

|Jan snow inch = 
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|unit snow days = 0.1 in
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|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00454769&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Longview, WA
|access-date = April 2, 2025
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=pqr
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Portland (OR)
|access-date = April 2, 2025
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1930 = 10652
| 1940 = 12385
| 1950 = 20339
| 1960 = 23349
| 1970 = 28373
| 1980 = 31052
| 1990 = 31499
| 2000 = 34660
| 2010 = 36648
| 2020 = 37818
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 37925
| estref = <ref name="Census-Estimate2023"/>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 37,818 people, and 15,913 households in the city.<ref name="wwwcensusgov" /> The population density was 2,555.6 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 83.8% [[White Americans|White]], 1.5% [[African Americans|African American]], 1.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 1.9% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], and 8.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.4% of the population.<ref name="wwwcensusgov" />

22.0% of the population were under 18, and 5.9% were under 5. People over 65 made up 20.8% of the population. The gender makeup of Longview was 52.4% female, and 47.6% male.<ref name="wwwcensusgov" />

The median household income was $53,044, and the per capita income was $31,980. 13.7% of the population were under the [[Poverty line in the United States|poverty line]].<ref name="wwwcensusgov" />

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> there were 36,648 people, 15,281 households, and 9,086 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2529.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 16,380 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1130.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.7% of the population.

There were 15,281 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 39.6 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 34,660 people, 14,066 households, and 8,931 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,530.0 people per square mile (976.8/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 15,225 housing units at an average density of 1,111.4 per square mile (429.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 89.35% White, 0.72% African American, 1.76% Native American, 2.17% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.96% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.82% of the population. 17.3% were of German, 11.2% English, 10.3% United States or American, 8.5% Irish and 7.3% Norwegian ancestry. 92.4% spoke English and 4.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 14,066 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,171, and the median income for a family was $43,869. Males had a median income of $38,972 versus $26,625 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,559. About 12.3% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Raw log export, Longview, Washington.jpg|thumb|Timber for export, Port of Longview, 2008]]

Manufacturing in Longview accounts for 19% of the employment. Easy access to the [[Columbia River]], [[Interstate 5 in Washington|Interstate 5]], and the west coast railways has attracted a rapidly diversifying manufacturing base. The abundance of timber around Longview provides the city's former two largest employers, [[Weyerhaeuser]] and [[Kapstone]], with timber products. Other major manufacturers in Longview include NORPAC (newsprint), Solvay Chemicals ([[hydrogen peroxide]]), and [[Westlake Chemical]] (formerly [[Axiall]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westlake.com/sites/default/files/Westlake%202016%20AR.PDF|title=Westlake 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders|last=Chao|first=Albert|date=2016|website=westlake.com|access-date=February 21, 2018}}</ref> Smaller operations include Epson Toyocom, Northwest Hardwoods, Interfor (originally Caffall Brothers, then Stimpson lumber, now Interfor US Inc), Peterson Manufacturing, JM Huber, Specialty Minerals, HASA and the [[Simpson Timber Company]].<ref>[http://www.simplyhired.com/a/local-jobs/city/l-Longview,+WA Manufacturing and economy]- Retrieved September 8, 2011</ref>

==Sports==
The [[Cowlitz Black Bears]] play in the [[West Coast League]], an independent summer baseball league with teams from Washington, [[Oregon]], and [[British Columbia]].  The team plays at David Story Field on the [[Lower Columbia College]] campus in Longview.<ref name=CBBB>http://www.cowlitzblackbears.com/ Cowlitz Black Bears Web Site</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[Image:LongviewSacajawea(Commons).jpg|thumb|left|A former slough, Lake Sacajawea was created during the construction of Longview]]
Longview has a variety of parks and recreation facilities. Longview Parks and Recreation<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.longview.wa.us/parks_rec/ |title=Longview Parks and Recreation}} Longview Parks and Recreation</ref> maintains the local parks, including [[Lake Sacajawea (Longview, Washington)|Lake Sacajawea]]. Dozens of other parks exist within city limits with walking trails, sport fields, dog-friendly areas, children's play areas, and other features. Both Longview and its neighbor city, Kelso, are home to [[skatepark]]s.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://tdn.com/articles/2009/11/12/breaking_news/doc4aef9639db3de915642335.txt |title=Skate Park Wrapping Up |newspaper=The Daily News |access-date=November 12, 2009}}</ref> Two athletic clubs exist, including the [[YMCA]] and Mint Valley Racquet and Fitness. Golf clubs in the local area include Longview Country Club and Mint Valley. The Longview parks and Recreation also works with youths of different ages with programs such as the elementary and middle schools after-school programs, The Boulevard for youths of grades 6–12, and Youth and Family link.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

==Education==
[[File:Mark Morris High School - Longview, Washington.JPG|thumb|[[Mark Morris High School]]]]
Longview is served by [[Longview Public Schools]], which operates eight public elementary schools (Columbia Heights, Columbia Valley Gardens, Kessler, Mint Valley, Northlake, Olympic, Robert Gray, and Saint Helens), three public middle schools (Cascade, Monticello, and Mount Solo), and two public high schools ([[R. A. Long High School|R. A. Long]] and [[Mark Morris High School|Mark Morris]]).

Longview is also served by two religious based schools. The St. Rose [[Catholic school]] serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Three Rivers Christian School currently operates under two campuses: one at Northlake Baptist serving preschool through sixth grade, and on Alpha Drive, formerly Beacon Hill Elementary School which serves seventh through twelfth grades.

[[Lower Columbia College]] (LCC), based in Longview, was established in 1934.

==Culture==

Every Independence Day, Longview hosts the Go Fourth Fest at Lake Sacajawea. Over 30,000 people visit the lake's vendor booths, live concerts, and exhibits. The festival also includes a parade starting downtown and ending at the park and a fireworks display.

===Historic landmarks===

Longview has many historic buildings, many of which were built in the initial growth period from 1923 to 1934, prior to the worst effects of the Great Depression. Ranging from Georgian-revival style with the major public buildings, Tudor and craftsman style homes, commercial vernacular, and Art Deco, there are many contributing properties. 
A park, a bridge, and many buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the Civic Center, that is a National Register Historic District.<ref>[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Cowlitz County, Washington]] NRHP listings for Longview</ref>
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
*Berwind-Purcell House
*Big Four Furniture Building – Built in 1924 for Lumberman's Bank.
*Columbia Theatre 
*First Christian Church
*[[Lake Sacajawea (Longview, Washington)|Lake Sacajawea Park]]
*[[R. A. Long High School]]
*[[Longview Bridge]] – Also known as the Lewis and Clark Bridge.
*[[Nutty Narrows Bridge]] - Is a squirrel bridge in Longview.
*Longview Civic Center Historic District
|valign="top"|
*Longview Community Church
*Longview Community Church-Saint Helen's Addition
*Longview Community Store
*[[Longview Women's Clubhouse]]
*Mills Building
*Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Building
*Pounder Building
|valign="top"|
*Schumann Building
*Sevier and Weed Building
*J. D. Tennant House
*Tyni Building
*US Post Office – Longview Main
*Washington Gas and Electric Building
*Willard Building
|}

==Media==

===Radio===
*[[KEDO (AM)|KEDO]] AM 1270 ([[Talk radio]])
*[[KBAM (AM)|KBAM]] AM 1400 ([[Classic country]])
*[[KLOG]] AM 1490 ([[Classic Hits]])
*[[KJVH]] FM 89.5 ([[Christian radio]])
*[[KLWO]] FM 90.3 ([[Contemporary Christian music|Contemporary Christian]])
*[[KLYK]] FM 94.5 ([[Hot Adult Contemporary]])
*[[KPPK]] FM 98.3 "The Peak" ([[Adult hits]])
*[[KRQT]] FM 107.1 "Rocket 107" ([[Classic rock]])
*[[KUKN]] FM 105.5 ([[Country music|Country]])
*[[KUKN|K268BN]] FM 101.5 "The Wave" ([[Classic rock]])
:(Simulcast as KUKN-HD2 FM 105.5)

===Newsprint===
*''[[The Daily News (Longview, Washington)|The Daily News]]'' – Longview's primary newspaper, won a 1981 [[Pulitzer Prize]] for its coverage of the [[1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens|Mount St. Helens eruption]].<ref>{{cite news|title=A witness to the eruption, journalist's life was changed forever|url=http://o.seattlepi.com/mountsthelens/bud13.shtml|author=Bud May|date=May 13, 2000|newspaper=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|access-date=December 18, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*''[[Columbia River Reader]]'' – A monthly community newspaper.
*''[[Valley Bugler]]'' – A monthly "good news" and community events paper that grew out of the now defunct ''Castle Rock Advocate'' in 1998.

===Television===
*[[KLTV (Washington)|KLTV]] – Local [[public-access television]] [[cable television]] channel, which has its headquarters in downtown Longview, at the corner of 12th Avenue and Washington Way.

==Transportation==
Longview is on the I-5 Corridor and is served by [[Washington State Route 4|State Route 4]] and [[Washington State Route 432|State Route 432]], which connect it to nearby Kelso and Wahkiakum County. [[Washington State Route 433|State Route 433]] connects Longview to Rainier, OR over the Lewis and Clark Bridge.

The city is also served by [[RiverCities Transit (Washington)|RiverCities Transit]], a local bus system that travels between Kelso and Longview.  The nearest train and intercity bus station is the [[Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center]], which is served by [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Amtrak Cascades|Cascades]]'' and ''[[Coast Starlight]]'' passenger trains.<ref>{{WSDOT Public Transit Summary |year=2021 |page=64 |accessdate=May 2, 2023}}</ref>

===Marine transportation===
The [[Port of Longview]], established in 1921, has eight marine terminals handling a wide range of cargo from windmills, pencil pitch, calcined coke, pulp bales, lumber, grain, logs and steel.  The Port is {{convert|66|mi|km}} from the Pacific Ocean.

===Nutty Narrows Bridge===
{{main|Nutty Narrows Bridge}}

Longview is home to the [[Nutty Narrows Bridge]] built in 1963 by Amos Peters.  For many years, it was the only bridge in the world designed and built strictly for squirrels.  The bridge was built in 1963 and its purpose was to avoid squirrel casualties on the busy streets beneath.<ref>https://www.mylongview.com/400/Nutty-Narrows-Bridge -Squirrel bridge</ref>

Longview began a new annual festival, known as Squirrel Fest, in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://tdn.com/news/local/locals-visitors-go-nuts-for-squirrel-fest/article_3225f9ec-c09c-11e0-a1ff-001cc4c03286.html | title=Locals, visitors go nuts for Squirrel Fest | date=August 6, 2011 }}</ref> As part of the festival, a new squirrel bridge has been unveiled each year, and as of 2023, there are now seven squirrel bridges in the city.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://tdn.com/news/local/longview-s-fourth-squirrel-bridge-to-be-installed-june/article_0481df5c-f1d0-11e3-8eef-0019bb2963f4.html | title=Longview's fourth squirrel bridge to be installed June 21 | date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylongview.com/400/Nutty-Narrows-Bridge|title=Nutty Narrows Bridge|publisher=City of Longview|access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref> However, as of late they have stopped unveiling new squirrel bridges.

==Recognition==
In 2012, ''Forbes'' listed Longview as one of the United States' prettiest cities.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/efel45ehhm/longview-washington/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401204416/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efel45ehhm/longview-washington/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 1, 2012 | work=Forbes | first=John | last=Giuffo|title=America's Prettiest Towns|access-date=October 5, 2015}}</ref>

The [[Green Day]] song "[[Longview (song)|Longview]]" from their album ''[[Dookie (album)|Dookie]]'' is named after the town.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=billiejoe|author=Billie Joe Armstrong|number=35415649631223808|date=9 February 2011|title=Our friend/roadie Kaz Hope, suggested we call our song Longview because the 1st time we played was in Longview Washington in spring 1992}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Bud Black]], manager of the [[Colorado Rockies]]
*[[Steve De Jarnatt]], director of cult films ''[[Miracle Mile (film)|Miracle Mile]]'' and ''[[Cherry 2000]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tdn.com/business/local/article_b7b475c1-e89e-5078-999f-cdee0e6d0555.html |title=Man of direction—Longview's Steve De Jarnatt sprints to fame in film |last1=Mathieu |first1=Stephanie |date=December 10, 2006 |website=TDN.com |publisher=[[The Daily News (Longview)]] |access-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref>
*[[James Phillip Fleming]], recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] for heroic action during the [[Vietnam War]], 1968<ref>[http://www.mishalov.com/Fleming.html James Fleming's Medal of Honor Citation]</ref>
*[[David Korten]], author of ''[[When Corporations Rule the World]]''
*[[Trevor May]], Oakland Athletics, pitcher
*[[Hal Riney]], American advertising executive inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in 2001
*[[Sid Snyder]], Washington state legislator and businessman
*[[Rick Sweet]], [[Louisville Bats]] Minor League Baseball manager
*[[Moulton Taylor]], inventor of the [[Aerocar]], the first practical flying automobile
*[[Brian Thompson (actor)|Brian Thompson]], actor known for his work in action films and television series
*[[Kristen Waggoner]], President, CEO, and General Counsel of [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] since 2022.
*[[David Walden]], computer scientist who contributed to [[ARPANET]]
*[[Bob Williams (Washington politician)|Bob Williams]], former [[Washington House of Representatives|Washington state representative]], founder of the [[Freedom Foundation (Washington)|Freedom Foundation]]

==Sister cities==
Longview has one [[Town twinning|sister city]]:<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Sister City Relationship with Wako, Japan |url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |publisher=Washington Lieutenant Governor's Office |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144331/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/ |archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Relationship history|url=https://www.mylongview.com/382/Relationship-History|publisher=WCity of Longview|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>http://www.mylongview.com/community/sc_sistercity.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628153319/http://www.mylongview.com/community/sc_sistercity.html |date=June 28, 2012 }} -Sister city</ref>
* {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Wakō, Saitama|Wakō, Saitama, Japan]]

==Gallery==
<gallery heights="135px" class="center">
Image:Monticello hotel.jpg|The Monticello Hotel, on the Civic Circle
Image:RALongHS.jpg|R. A. Long High School, constructed in 1927
Image:RALbust.jpg|Bust of [[Robert A. Long]], in front of the Monticello Hotel
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center]]
*[[Cowlitz County Deserves Better]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://www.mylongview.com/}}

{{Cowlitz County, Washington}}
{{Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Longview, Washington| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Cowlitz County, Washington]]
[[Category:Planned communities in the United States]]
[[Category:Company towns in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Washington (state) populated places on the Columbia River]]
[[Category:Former county seats in Washington (state)]]