Forty miles from Shreveport is the Texas town of Marshall, part of the Ark-La-Tex region and the county seat of Harrison County. While it may seem small, in 1860 it was the fourth-largest city in Texas. With a population of just over 24,000, Marshall offers quiet living and access to outdoor recreation. “There’s a little bit of everything,” says Alex Agnor, the director of economic development and strategic initiatives. “We’re in the piney woods of East Texas – that’s something beautiful to see. It’s great to be among the trees.” Marshall has a historic downtown, with a courthouse built in 1901 that is a center for community events, but since the 1990s, also has been a hotbed of patent litigation in the United States. “There’s just a real sense of community and belonging,” says Agnor. “We’ve got some great amenities and things in Marshall, along with lots of historical sites.” The first city to receive a telegraph, Marshall also was an important city during the Confederacy, as Harrison County had the most enslaved people in the state of Texas. After the Civil War, the city became a major railroad hub. The train depot was constructed in 1912. It's now a museum and Amtrak station.
The heart of Marshall, Texas, where the iconic courthouse stands proudly at the center of town, bustling with local life and community spirit.
The heart of Marshall, Texas, where the iconic courthouse stands proudly at the center of town, bustling with local life and community spirit.
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'60s and '70s brick homes in Marshall
The town itself is primarily built in a grid layout. “Marshall is kind of different, it’s got different sections. One zip code is older, one zip code is newer. Then there’s lots of 60s and 70s brick houses,” says Jason Brown, a real estate agent with Texas Farms and Ranches. “There’s not a lot of newer built houses compared to towns around Marshall.” The median price for homes is $190,000, lower than nearby Longview, which has a median price of $275,000. There are ranches and farms on the edge of the city, where properties tend to have more acreage. “There’s some new developments, some new multifamily development that’s gone up,” Agnor says.
Explore the charm of Marshall, Texas, where historic homes from the 1960s and earlier line the streets, showcasing the city’s diverse architectural styles and rich history
Discover the ideal blend of space and country living in Marshall, Texas, with this expansive property featuring ample acreage and room for cattle or livestock.
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City parks and Caddo Lake State Park
Marshall has eight main city parks scattered throughout, including City Park, which sits next to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center. “There’s been a big investment in parks and quality-of-life items. Airport Park has had tons of renovations with turf fields, I believe 11 fields,” Agnor says. “We’re finally seeing that come to fruition.” Oak Lawn Municipal Golf Course is a public golf course run by Parks and Recreation. It has 9 holes, a driving range and a club. Caddo Lake State Park is about 16 miles northeast from Marshall. Caddo Lake crosses the border into Louisiana, although the state park itself remains entirely in Texas. Lake O’ the Pines is about 30 miles northwest and offers a variety of outdoor recreation, including boating, fishing and bird watching. Hunting is common in the area. Depending on the animal, hunters are required to have different certificates or may be restricted on the type of hunting equipment they can use.
Marshall's City Park welcomes locals with walking trails, a playground, basketball courts, and event spaces
Experience the vastness of Caddo Lake State Park, just 30 minutes from Marshall, Texas, where over 8,000 acres of natural beauty await exploration.
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Downtown Marshall for local businesses
Along U.S. Route 59, locally called East End Boulevard North, are several national retailers like Walmart Supercenter and Kroger. “We have a historic downtown with 14 new businesses, and that’s just downtown,” says Agnor. “It’s very anchored by the historic courthouse.” Agnor says the downtown boutiques and shops work together to host special events. “We’ve got some great businesses in town that have grown,” says Agnor. “Bear Creek Smokehouse is just on the outskirts, but they have a lot of history in the community.” The city also has a farmers’ market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through the summer and fall at Telegraph Park. One of the new businesses is Rüeggenbach Brewing Co., opened in 2023. “The brewery was in a fire station, and they completely redeveloped that property. It’s just great for downtown. They brew their beer downtown and sell it to stores and such,” Agnor says.
Stroll through the charming streets of downtown Marshall, Texas, where local boutiques, community events, and vibrant support for small businesses create a welcoming atmosphere.
Discover Rüggenbock Brewing Company in downtown Marshall, a perfect spot for craft beer lovers and events from corporate gatherings to parties and group settings with a rooftop overlooking the courthouse.
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East Texas Baptist and Wiley universities
Marshall Independent School District receives an overall grade of C-plus from Niche. The district has eight campuses for grades kindergarten through 12. In 2019, the district opened Little Mav Academy, a daycare facility originally intended to serve staff and students with children under age 4. Today, it is open to all of Marshall. Marshall is home to four higher-education institutions: East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), Wiley University, Texas State Technical College – Marshall and Panola College. “ETBU is the main one. It’s not super huge, but it’s a fairly good size,” says Brown. “It has a fairly good reputation in east Texas.” First established in 1873, Wiley is a historically black college/university (HBCU) and one of the oldest HBCUs west of the Mississippi River. Its students were among the first to start the Civil Rights Movement in Texas, organizing sit-ins at the courthouse. The school’s champion debate team was the focus of the 2007 movie “The Great Debaters” starring Denzel Washington.
East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, offering students a vibrant community and quality education as one of the city’s key institutions.
Wiley University, an HBCU in Marshall known for its rich history and starring role in The Great Debaters featuring Denzel Washington.
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Winter Wonderland, FireAnt Festival and tacos
There are multiple events throughout the year, including the FireAnt festival and Wonderland of Lights. “Millions of lights cover downtown and we put up a temporary ice-skating rink,” says Agnor. “We actually had 1994 Gold Olympic figure skater Oksana Baiul come and do first skate for us. She probably came every night, no frills. She just wanted to skate.” Memorial City Hall is a performance center that was renovated in 2020 and has over 550 seats. “We had Taco Wars with different food trucks. Turns out, that’s trademarked. So last year, we changed to Taco ‘bout Marshall,” Agnor says.
Memorial City Hall in downtown Marshall, Texas, is not only a historic landmark but also the heart of local governance, hosting city meetings, community events, and serving as a symbol of civic pride and public service.
Downtown Marshall, Texas, comes into view from atop the historic courthouse, showcasing the city’s charm and heritage.
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Multiple east-to-west highways and East Texas Regional Airport
Interstate 20 acts as the southern border for a portion of the city. There are multiple U.S. routes, as well as state highways, that cross through the town. Nearby Longview is home to East Texas Regional Airport, which provides flights from American Airlines. Shreveport Regional Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport offer more options. “Our location is great. We’re just 30 minutes to Longview, and Shreveport is just a little further,” Agnor says. Marshall is home to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center.
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Marshall, TX sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Marshall, TX over the last 12 months is $200,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
60 ACRE HIGH-FENCED TROPHY DEER RANCH – NEAR INTERSTATE 20 CLOSE TO MARSHALL AND SHREVEPORT EXCEPTIONAL RANCH IN A PRIME LOCATION WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE INTERSTATE. THIS TEXAS TWIMS CERTIFIED RELEASE FACILITY INCLUDES NEARLY 100 TROPHY ANIMALS—AXIS, WHITETAIL, AND FALLOWDEER—WITH AN ESTIMATED HERD VALUE OF $275,000. THE PROPERTY FEATURES: 8 FT HIGH GAME FENCE,POND, LOTS OF MATURE HARDWOODS AND
60 ACRE HIGH-FENCED TROPHY DEER RANCH – NEAR INTERSTATE 20 CLOSE TO MARSHALL AND SHREVEPORT EXCEPTIONAL RANCH IN A PRIME LOCATION WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE INTERSTATE. THIS TEXAS TWIMS CERTIFIED RELEASE FACILITY INCLUDES NEARLY 100 TROPHY ANIMALS—AXIS, WHITETAIL, AND FALLOW DEER—WITH AN ESTIMATED HERD VALUE OF $275,000. THE PROPERTY FEATURES: 8 FT HIGH GAME FENCE,POND, LOTS OF MATURE HARDWOODS AND
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WELCOME HOME! This 4-bedroom home offers the perfect blend of space, comfort, and elegance. Enjoy cozy evenings by the fireplace in the spacious living room or step outside to the covered back patio, which also features a fireplace—ideal for year-round gatherings. The large, beautifully manicured yard provides plenty of space for outdoor activities and relaxation. Located in Elysian Fields ISD,
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