What's up with Center, Texas? (Tyler, Longview: 2009, hotel, camps)

[Kurt]

Just came back from the Toledo Bend area and someone told me to check out Center, Texas, as I have property on the north end of the lake. I was not too impressed with Mansfield, Louisiana, as it is sort of rundown with a major factory having gone out of business. Nice people, but a tired old town for the most part.

Sooo, I took a drive over to Logansport, Louisiana. Ditto for that place. Then over to Joaquin--a very small town--on the Texas side of the Sabine River.

Then on to Center. I know someone at Huxley Bay on the lake and Center was nearby.

Well---Center is a town of about 5000+ in Shelby County, but it is really on the move! True, the old downtown square was a bit worn out, although they were rennovating some of the old buildings. Then I went out on the "beltway" strip to see the modern stuff.

First, a very nice SuperWalmart. But right next door a multi-story and brand spanking new Holiday Inn Express! Went inside to check it out and it was first class! The nicest regular hotel-motel place in the entire T-Bend area in my book.

And new buildings going up. Auto Service stores, restaurants. A really neat sporting goods store called "Wulfs"--they are a local family but have put in a store that is every bit as nice as one of those fancy Bass Masters places. Nothing like it anywhere else near T-Bend. A log cabin motif that you might see in a fancy resort town.

Well, I did talk to someone who said that folks were moving in from Tyler--land was cheaper for horse ranch hobby farms or fishing camps on the lake.

Anyways, they said the population was really growing. Carthage is just up the road. Longview and Marshall a bit farther.

I was told that Lufkin was really booming, too.

But little old Center, Texas, really blew me away. It is a modern, upbeat, and growing sort of place for a town its size.

Anyone know any more about it?

[BobTex]

Hey Kurt ... you moved down yet? Center is both old and new! Your assessment seems spot on. Even though it is 2 hrs from me I know some folks from there. I would say all of Texas is on the economic upswing.

[Kurt]

Howdy to you. No, it seems I have to work here in Pensacola until the Summer of 2009, but I may just change my mind.

If we can keep the water level up on T-Bend it will make all the difference to the future development of the area. I have spent a little time around Big Sam as well. That is a great lake to boat on but I don't think I want to live on it.

When I left Shreveport on Continental Air we flew right over the two big lakes. Gave me a real appreciation for the "Lake Country". Keep in touch. I will let you know if my plans change and I get out there, sooner.