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Gladewater street
scene, circa 1913
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Near
the epicenter of the 30's oil boom, Gladewater didn't feel the effects
of the depression. Although Gregg
County has produced more oil than any other county, the slump
of the early eighties was felt severely. The downtown section of Gladewater
was full of empty buildings with economic prospects dim. This is when
Beth Bishop came up with the idea for the Antique Capital of East
Texas.
Now with approx. 200 dealers in 16 malls, Gladewater
has a revitalized downtown with a weekend tranquility even during
the week. |
Gladewater,
Texas Attractions
Helen Lee Estate
Daffodil Gardens:
Open daily 10 to 4 during the blooming season, mid-February through
March. Contact the chamber.
St. Clair Museum:
817 Main Street Open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 5:00.
Gladewater
War Memorial:
Listing local veterans from the Revolutionary War to Gulf War. Located
downtown on Pacific Street
Dr. E. L &
Nancy Walker
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
On E Commerce.
This historic home is a bed and breakfast and offers tours by appointment.
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Gladwater Memorial
Park
Photo
courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007
More Texas Cemeteries |
Gladewater
Events include
Christmas in
Gusherville
Springfest
and a Rodeo in June.
April celebrates
East Texas Gusher Days with chili cook-offs, street dances, antique
auto shows and live music.
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| Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
Gladewater
Chronicles
The
Gladewater Oil Boom
Elvis
Slept Here by Mike Cox
Built in the early 1950s in the then still-bustling oil town of
Gladewater, the white stucco Res-Mor Motel (get it? “Rest More”)
has seen its better days. But visitors still come to stand outside
Room 104.
The old motel, a relic of the pre-interstate days when U.S. 80 carried
heavy east-west highway across Texas, has no sign or historical
marker commemorating its most famous guest. Even so, his most fanatical
fans know its significance: Elvis Presley stayed there in 1954-55
on the road to becoming a rock and roll legend...
Read full article
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"This was
the first time this part of Texas had snow in April since 1938"
- George
Lester, April 2007 |
Nearby
Destinations
Take Hwy 271 South 26 miles to Tyler.
Take Hwy 80 East 13 miles to Longview,
another 23 miles to Marshall.
Take Hwy 271 North 14 miles to Gilmer.
Take Hwy 80 West 34 miles to Mineola.
Take Hwy 271 South to FM135, 13 miles to Kilgore.
Gladewater Tourtist Information
Gladewater Chamber of Commerce:
215 North Main Street
903-845-5501 or 1-800-627-0315
Book Hotel Here › Longview
Hotels | More
Hotels |
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Robert
Bruce Kerr in uniform
Photo courtesy Barbara Kerr Scott |
Gladewater,
Texas Forum
Subject:
Was there a military academy near Gladewater?
My father (Robert Bruce Kerr, b. 1913) often told me he attended
a military academy near Gladewater. This most likely would have
been in the 20s, definitely before the Crash of 1929. His father,
Lewis Arvel Kerr, was a photographer in Ft. Worth, and possibly
took the attached photo (see photo above). My father is the shorter
of the two boys in the school's uniform. Last week I was in Gladewater,
and asked at the C of C and the local history museum about the school.
No one had heard of it. - Barbara Kerr Scott, Chickasha, Ok, March
12, 2006
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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