Gladewater Texas, Antique Capital of East Texas. (original) (raw)

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.

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.

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

"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 1-800-627-0315Book Hotel Here › Longview Hotels | More Hotels

	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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