Walking into the historic Judge J.N. Campbell house — only blocks away from downtown Longview — history swirls through the air as thick as plaster dust and the smell of old wood that time has chipped away.
Although this one-time grand and majestic place has lost its luster, you can still peer around the corners and imagine fine dignitaries and politicians mixing, mingling and entertaining notions of the greatness of Longview. You can glimpse into what was once the mens’ cigar lounge and catch the faint smell of brandy tickling your nose. And, if you listen closely, you can hear the soft strings of a three-member band playing tunes on the second-story balcony for evening guests.
This home began its life in 1872, a year after Longview’s incorporation. Longview was the hub of East Texas because of the junction of the East/West trains and the North/South trains. J.N. Campbell, an early judge in Gregg County, made his residence here at 433 South Center Street. In its day, the home’s majesty took center stage in the beautiful South Main Neighborhood. Today, it stands beaten, neglected and in need of some tender loving care. In fact, it has fallen into such a state of disrepair that it was slated for demolition — that is until Preservation Longview stepped in to save this magnificent piece of history.
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front row, from left: Lynette Goodson, Leah Brown, Wendy Ossoinig and Victoria Wilson. In back: Jonathan Poston. Leah, Wendy and Jonathan are part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Southwest Office, and came to Longview to tour the Campbell home with Preservation Longview board members Lynette and Victoria.
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A hallway greets guests at the entrance of the Campbell house.
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A stain glass window decorate the stairwell.
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The home ...
About a year ago, Preservation Longview established itself as a non-profit organization. Their mission — to preserve significant historical sites and revitalize neighborhoods — kicks off with the first project on their ever-growing list: the Queen Anne style Campbell home on Center Street. To start, the group worked with Preservation Texas to get the home listed as one of Texas' 2009 Most Endangered Historic Places, giving the Campbell home a whole new level of recognition.
Plans call for the home to be remodeled to its original grandeur with stained glass windows, Victorian furniture, chandeliers and a solarium.
"This house is a significant piece of architecture in this area," said Victoria Wilson, Founder of Preservation Longview. "Other homes like this have been torn down and destroyed. We must maintain the integrity of the historic South Main neighborhood, and we will start with the Campbell home."
Once the renovation begins, it is slated to be complete in just over a year. The group is relying on grants, membership dues, fundraisers, individual and corporate donations, in order to see their dream become reality.
"Our hope is to open the Campbell home doors for tours and events such as receptions, parties, meetings and weddings," Victoria said. "Members of the community need to give as little or as much as they can to make this possible, because, in the end, we will all be welcome to use it. Contribute now so that you may enjoy it later. When we all work together, it can happen."
And beyond.
Restoration is hard and subtle work. It means turning something old into something new by bringing the past forward into the present, rather than allowing the present to obliterate it. That's what Preservation Longview is determined to do for the historic homes in town.
"Our goal is to preserve historical Longview," Victoria said. "It's not just about the Judge J.N. Campbell house, either; this will be our signature piece, our anchor of restorations to come. We hope to move forward with other historical landmarks in Longview."
Historic homes give our communities and our towns their historic scale and character. They embody the distinctive patterns of our past and tell a story.
"These homes are each a celebration of a period in time," said Lynette Goodson, another board member at Preservation Longview. "They weave a story throughout our community, and that story is being destroyed with each demolition. The truth is, we can still use these homes and fit them to our current lifestyles. The mindset of 'that's old, we can do better now' is egotistical thinking. We have to save our heritage."
