Historic Longtown
Under the leadership of the Graham family and other businessmen, the area continued to prosper during the 19th and into the 20th century. By the end of the 20th century there were more sheep sold through the Longtown Auction Mart than any other in Europe.
The First World War saw the establishment of a huge
cross-border munitions factory between Gretna and Longtown. At its height it employed over 30,000 people
brought together from all over Britain to service the War Effort.
After the Second World War Longtown offered a home to displaced persons from Poland, Latvia and The Ukraine who had suffered the unspeakable horrors of the Nazi Occupation. Many of these families, now in their third generation, have become an integral part of the thriving community that is today's Longtown - a fascinating market town closely linked with two thousands years of British history, mystery and legend.