Small town atmosphere holds steady as New Boston expands
New Boston is a northeast Texas community that boomed with the railroad’s arrival in the 1870s. It continues to grow in the 21st century, particularly with the establishment of federal employment centers. “New Boston is basically still a small town community. It’s got people who are still really into their Friday night football. It’s kind of a small town that’s getting bigger quickly, so everybody’s still trying to hang on to their small town values,” says Von Toler, Realtor and owner of Toler Group Realty associated with Pinnacle Realty Advisors, who has three years of experience. “It’s a good place for people to go because they’re right outside of Texarkana, which is a pretty major city up here… so it’s a good commuting neighborhood to live in.”
Gridded streets and expansive properties with single-family homes
Many single-family homes near the city center have properties that span less than 1 acre. “Land and building are very popular, and there are several large properties available for building or buying that have large animal amenities. Ranches and farming are prevalent here as you get to the outer parts of town,” says Becky Easley, an associate broker with Re/Max Preferred who has over 13 years of experience. On the outskirts, homes often come with at least 2 acres, and some are on as many as 20 acres. Ranch-style homes are present throughout the city, with a price range of about $40,000 to $300,000. Minimal Traditional homes and manufactured homes are also in the area. They share a similar price range to that of the ranch-style homes, ranging from approximately $30,000 to $200,000.
Downtown flea markets, various restaurants and a general store
McCoy Boulevard has a Brookshire’s supermarket and an Ace Hardware. Fast food restaurant chains and Randy’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, a counter-service restaurant, are also on the boulevard. U.S. Highway 82 runs through the city’s downtown, home to Henry & Jean Boutique and the Boston General Store, which sells dry goods and toys. The store also has a restaurant that serves American fare. Dining options on Front Street vary from Big Daddy Donuts to Maria’s Tex-Mex Restaurant. The downtown area also includes the 82 Marketplace indoor flea market and the RiverBend Too Fleamarket and Antiques.
Local history, Northeast Texas Trail access and outdoor parks
The T&P Trailhead Park downtown has a path that loops around the 3 Boston Museum, which showcases crafts, tools, and images of the area from previous eras. A trailhead connects the park to the Northeast Texas Trail, a regional, bike-friendly path that totals 130 miles. In October, the park’s pavilion hosts Pioneer Days, a four-day festival featuring a carnival and free concerts. Tapp Park is on Elm Street, and it features a splash pad, playground and baseball fields. Open space and a basketball court fill Scrapp Miller Park in the city’s northern region.
New Boston schools and district-run career-based courses
The city is in the New Boston Independent School District attendance boundary. New Boston Elementary School in the district earns a C-plus grade from Niche, and New Boston Middle School receives a B overall. New Boston High School receives a B-minus overall. It offers various opportunities for students to earn college credit through district-run courses, including career and technical education courses in subjects such as health sciences. The district also offers a work-based business, marketing and finance program. Credits for these programs are given through the district’s partnership with Texarkana College.
The interstate and highway tie New Boston to cities like Texarkana
Interstate 30 and U.S. Highway 82 connect the area to Texarkana, which includes the Texarkana Regional Airport, about 30 miles east. Christus Trinity Clinic is in New Boston, and Texarkana has the closest full-service hospitals as well as an emergency center. The interstate also ties the area to Dallas, home of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, nearly a 175-mile drive west. “Close to New Boston is Red River Army Depot, which has long been central for employment of good-paying jobs. TexAmericas has repurposed parts of the depot for new industry and is growing quickly,” Easley says.
