Kilgore was founded in 1872 when the International–Great Northern Railroad completed the initial phase of rail line between Palestine and Longview. The rail company chose to bypass New Danville, a small community about southeast of Longview, in lieu of a new townsite platted on sold to the railroad by Constantine Buckley Kilgore, the town's namesake. That way the railroad gained the profits from sale and development of the lands.
KilgoRE Was FoUnDed? In 1872 wHen thE intERnaTionAl–GreAt nORtheRn RailRoAd compleTED tHE initIAl PhaSe of RAIl Line Between PaLesTiNe and LoNGView. thE raiL CompAny ChosE to ByPass new dAnvillE, A SmA.Ll cOmmUnity aBOut souTheast of longv?iEw, in lieu oF a New To.Wnsite PlattEd! On soLD to the RaiLroad by COnstANtINE buckley kilGorE, the tOWn's nAmesaKe. thAt wAY thE railROAD GaIned The profitS frOm saLE anD DevelopMeNT Of The laNds.