Liberty City's schools and convenience attract buyers
Liberty City, a census-designated place in Gregg County, Texas, has been called many names since its settlement before the Civil War, including Hog Eye and Sabine. According to Jay Terry, a Realtor with United Country-H5 Auction & Realty, people choose to live in Liberty City for the schools, small-town feel and traveling convenience. "This is a small [area] with a good school district. The schools are the hub of the community," Terry says. "Liberty City falls into the zip codes for Kilgore and Gladewater. You are right there on Interstate 20, so you get a lot of versatility in traveling and working in East Texas." Liberty City is a growing, modern community, while the sought-after Sabine Independent School District dates back to 1893. Recent construction includes new homes and infrastructure upgrades, with plans to improve the area's water system and ongoing efforts to renovate a local park. Residents enjoy youth baseball games and other outdoor activities. Media outlets like Avid Golfer Magazine and Texas Monthly have recognized the local golf course.
A newly renovated park and the popular Tempest Golf Club
Hugh Camp Memorial Park has undergone major renovations in recent years. The green space includes new lighting and upgraded playground equipment. "Liberty City has a really nice golf course that they've expanded on and the large [Shallow Creek] RV Park that drives a wide variety of people to stay there," Terry says. Tempest Golf Club's has an 18-hole course and a practice facility. The public club hosts multiple monthly tournaments and the on-site Neptune's Grille and Bar. Sabine Youth Sports Complex holds practices and games for softball, baseball and t-ball teams. Dugout Nation Park has three private athletic fields for baseball and softball matches. The nearest public access point to the Sabine River is about 7 miles away off Highway 271 in Gladewater. Locals can also fish at Lake Gladewater from the concrete boat ramp off Lakeshore Drive.
A mix of ranch styles, manufactured homes and New Traditional houses
Several homes feature paved driveways leading to carports or attached garages. The area has predominantly ranch-style houses and manufactured homes. More recent New Traditionals can stand across the street from an older 20th-century dwelling. Clusters of houses built in the 2020s are scattered throughout the streetscape. Some of the most expensive residences are larger, 21st-century homes within a mile of the golf course. Houses range in price from around $200,000 to $475,000. Terry says buyers can still find available tracts of land in Liberty City.
Sabine Independent School District has an A-minus rating
Students can attend the sought-after Sabine Independent School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche. Sabine Elementary earns a B-plus rating. Sabine Intermediate opened in 2024 and accepts fifth- and sixth-graders. The school is unrated on Niche. Sabine Middle has an A-minus, and Sabine High receives a B-plus. During football season, alums, students and fans fill the seats at James Bamburg Stadium, across from the high school.
National and local dining off Old Highway 135
Locals can stay inside Liberty City for most day-to-day needs. Chain restaurants like Whataburger and Dairy Queen are dotted along Old Highway 135. Local dining options include Moe's Pizza and Los Enchilado's. Residents head to Pioneer Market and DG Market for groceries or home goods. The local Pioneer Hardware shop sells home improvement equipment and construction materials. Kilgore and Gladewater are nearby for more extensive retail opportunities.
Residents take Highway 135 to get around the region
The region has limited public transit options, so most locals travel by car. Interstate 20 runs along the southern corridor, while Highway 135 stretches through the center of the area. The community was once named McCary's Chapel, after a local church that still stands off Old Highway 135. Kilgore is about 5 miles away, and Longview is roughly a 14-mile drive from Liberty City. The Longview Regional Medical Center is a 24-bed facility with an emergency room. The East Texas Regional Airport is about 20 miles east.
A risk of severe weather in Liberty City
Gregg County communities are prone to wind damage from severe storms like tornadoes and hurricanes. Liberty City is also at risk of flooding from heavy rainfall.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
