Learn More About Gilmer, Texas

Gilmer is a city in the eastern part of Texas, in the United States. It is the largest city and county seat of Upshur County.

The city was first settled in the 1840s by immigrants from Kentucky and was likely named after Thomas W. Gilmer, the Secretary of the Navy under President John Tyler, who served in the U.S. Congress from 1851 to 1853. In 1873, the first courthouse was built, and by 1908 a two-story wooden school was built, which later became Gilmer Elementary School.

Today, Gilmer is an agricultural community that is home to several industries, including lumber, manufacturing, and oil and gas production. The town is also home to several museums including the Upshur County Historical Museum and the Gilmer Industrial Museum. The city is home to the East Texas Oil Museum, which is housed in the old Beech-Nut plant. The museum features several vintage pieces of oil and gas equipment, including a 1935 Continental 315 “Cadillac” drilling rig and a 1942 passenger pump used by Producers Oil Company in the 1930s.

The city is also home to several unique festivals and events, including the World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up every March. The festival draws visitors from around the world and it usually includes various activities such as carnival rides, a snake show, live music, and a snake-skinning contest. Other annual festivals include the Gilmer Lions Club Watermelon Festival and the Gilmer Chili & BBQ Cook-Off.

Gilmer is home to several parks and recreational areas, including East Texas State Park and Lake Gilmer. The lake offers a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. The city is also home to Gilmer Country Club, which is a 18-hole golf course, and Gilmer Municipal Pool, which features a zero-entry pool, lazy river, and slides.

Overall, Gilmer is a small town with a big heart. It's a great place to raise a family, as it has all the charms of a small city with the benefit of metropolitan amenities.