Learn More About Gladewater, Texas

Gladewater is a city in northeastern Texas, located in Gregg and Upshur counties. The city is situated on the eastern side of the Sabine River, 35 miles east of Tyler and 100 miles east of Dallas. Gladewater was first founded in 1873, when the Gulf, Texas, and Western Railroad arrived in the area, and it became an important center of transportation and commerce.

Gladewater is the antique capital of east Texas, and the town square is home to many antique shops and stores. The city also has a thriving downtown shopping and dining district, filled with quaint cafes and boutique stores. Gladewater is also home to some beautiful historical artifacts, such as the Sabine River Lighthouse, built in 1873, and the Grand Spinning Wheel, originally used as a cotton mill during the late 19th century and now featured in many of Gladewater’s festivals and parades.

The city offers a variety of recreational and outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting. The city is also home to many parks, including the City Lake Park, with its lighted walking trails, picnic areas and boat ramps, and the Red Barn Park, a quaint and sometimes eerie ghost town from the early 1900s.

The city hosts several annual events and festivals, such as the Gladewater Art Festival and the Gladewater Mesquite Festival. The Gladewater Rodeo has been around since the 1950s and draws contestants and spectators from miles around to watch and compete in traditional rodeo events, including bull riding, bronc riding, roping, and steer wrestling.

Gladewater is the quintessential small-town Texas experience, with the charm of a rural town and the convenience of a modern city. With its beautiful scenery, local attractions, and engaging history and culture, there's something for everyone in Gladewater.