Things to Do in New London, Texas
New London is a small Rusk County town with a place in history, and a visit here is largely about remembrance and heritage — centered on a moving museum and the broader oil-country story of East Texas. Its location near Kilgore and the lakes also puts more within easy reach.
Here's what to do in and around New London.
The London Museum & Cafe
The heart of any visit to New London is the London Museum, across the highway from the school site on State Highway 42. The museum preserves the story of the 1937 school explosion through photographs, newspaper clippings, telegrams and condolence letters, survivor accounts, and personal artifacts — a deeply moving and important record of the tragedy and the community that endured it.
The attached London Museum & Cafe is a piece of living history in its own right: its soda fountain has been in continuous operation since 1938. Visitors can view the exhibits and then enjoy an old-fashioned treat at the fountain. Nearby, a cenotaph memorial honors the victims — a place for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Oil Country Heritage
New London sits in the heart of the East Texas Oil Field, the boom that brought the town its prosperity. Just up the road, Kilgore — about twelve miles north — is home to the East Texas Oil Museum, which re-creates the 1930s boomtown days, and the famous 'World's Richest Acre,' a dense cluster of oil derricks downtown.
For anyone interested in the oil history that shaped New London and the whole region, these nearby sites bring the boom era to life. The oil story and the school memorial together tell the full, layered history of this small community.
Lakes, Towns, and the Region
Beyond the historic sites, New London's location puts outdoor recreation and nearby towns within reach. Lake Cherokee and other area lakes offer fishing and boating in the rolling Piney Woods, and the surrounding country is good for scenic drives.
Henderson, the Rusk County seat, lies nearby with its Depot Museum and historic downtown, and Kilgore and Longview to the north add shopping, dining, and college-town energy. Tyler, the commercial hub of East Texas, is a short drive northwest with its Rose Garden, zoo, and museums. Between the London Museum, the oil heritage, the lakes, and the nearby towns, New London offers a meaningful and well-rounded visit.
Highlights
- Visit the New London Museum and school explosion memorial on the ISD campus grounds
- Pay respects at the granite cenotaph listing the names of the 1937 disaster victims
- Catch a New London Wildcats football game on a Friday night in fall
- Drive ten minutes to Kilgore for the East Texas Oil Museum and historic oil derricks
- Fish or boat at Martin Creek Lake State Park, about twenty minutes southeast
- Explore downtown Henderson for courthouse square shopping and the Depot Museum
- Take a day trip to ride the Texas State Railroad through the Piney Woods from Rusk to Palestine
FAQ: Things to Do in New London
The main attraction is the London Museum & Cafe, preserving the story of the 1937 school explosion, with a soda fountain operating since 1938 and a nearby memorial. Kilgore's East Texas Oil Museum is close by, and Lake Cherokee and the towns of Henderson, Kilgore, and Tyler are within reach.
The London Museum, across from the school site on State Highway 42, preserves the story of the 1937 New London School explosion through photographs, clippings, condolence letters, survivor accounts, and artifacts. The attached cafe's soda fountain has operated continuously since 1938.
Yes. A cenotaph memorial honors the victims of the 1937 disaster near the school site, and the London Museum across the highway preserves the history. Together they offer a place for remembrance and reflection in the community.
Kilgore, about twelve miles north, is home to the East Texas Oil Museum, which re-creates the 1930s boomtown days, and the 'World's Richest Acre' of downtown oil derricks. These sites tell the story of the East Texas Oil Field that shaped New London.
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