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GLADEWATER,
TEXAS
"Antique Capital
of East Texas"
Gregg County/ Upshur
County, East Texas
US 80
13 miles W of Longview
115 miles E of Dallas
Population: 6,078 (2000)
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| "This
was the first time this part of Texas had snow in April since 1938"
- George Lester, April 2007 |
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
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.
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The
Opry House, formerly the Cozy
Theater
Photo courtesy George Lester, April 2007 |
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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Gladewater street
scene, circa 1913
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
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"Bird's-eye
view of oil wells and part of business section. Gladewater, Texas"
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
Old
Gas Station
Photo courtesy Lori Martin, August 2005 |
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
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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
Anyone wishing to share history or photos of Gladewater, Texas,
please contact
us.
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© John Troesser
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