LONGVIEW (KYTX) - Gregg County historians are seeking state historical markers for three longtime institutions, including a restaurant that has served East Texans for more than six decades.
Gregg County Historical Commission board members meet at 4 p.m. Monday at the county's Historical Museum Education Center, at 214 N. Fredonia Street. On the agenda is discussion about pursuing historical markers for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and the New Danville Community, both near Kilgore, and Johnny Cace's Seafood and Steak House in Longview.
Preservation Longview is raising $2,000 to purchase a Texas Historical Marker for the restaurant, which lost its longtime leader, Gerard Cace, in July. Cace suffered a fatal heart attack while returning from a fishing trip in Louisiana on July 18.
"Gerard touched all of Longview in one way or another. he served on many boards, he catered our parties; he gave generously of his time; he greeted us at Johnny Cace's, and in the past three years at the Historic Longview Farmers Market," Preservation Longview President Lynette Goodson said in a media release. "Gerard touched people beyond Longview as well. As many local citizens have experienced, visitors to our city often remember Longview because of their experience at Johnny Cace's, a landmark with over 60 years of tradition in our community."
Preservation Longview is seeking $200 donations for the marker. Each donation will be honored with a crepe myrtle tree planted in front of the East Marshall Avenue restaurant with plaques acknowledging the donors of each tree.
Donations can be made online at www.preservationlongview.com/gerardcace or by calling Goodson at (903) 746-1398.
