Gladewater, a city in East Texas, predominantly sits in both Gregg and Upshur counties. The town was founded in 1873 by the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. It was incorporated as a city in 1931.
Gladewater saw its first oil well in the year of 1931. From here, oil production increased as well as the population. Prior to the oil boom, the town had been growing at a slow pace. Around the 1970s, the city moved away from oil production and began diversifying its economy.
In the years following, the town gained a reputation for its many antique stores downtown -- something it is still known for today. Gladewater is now dubbed the "Antique Capital of East Texas."
