Gladewater, Texas
Encyclopedia
Gladewater is a city in Gregg
and Upshur
Counties in the U.S. state
of Texas
. The population was 6,228 at the 2010 census. U.S. Highway 80 traverses the city.
The town is probably most famous as a base during Elvis Presley
's early career http://www.elvisbay.com/reviews/concerts/pics/gladewater54.jpg, and also as the town in which Johnny Cash
wrote Walk the Line. In the early 20th century, Gladewater was an oil boom town. Gladewater is known as the "Antique Capital of East Texas" with its Main Street downtown antique district.
According to the United States Census Bureau
the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.4 km²), of which 11.6 square miles (30.1 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²) (4.37%) is water.
on the boundary between Gregg and Upshur counties. It was founded by the Texas and Pacific Railway
Company in 1873 on land bought from Jarrett Dean and Anderson White. A community called St. Clair, two miles (3 km) to the east, moved to Gladewater when the railroad announced that the only mail stop in the area would be there; residents from Point Pleasant, also bypassed by the railroad, moved to Gladewater. The first post office at Gladewater was established on August 22, 1873. The town's name probably originated from its proximity to Glade Creek, a stream that rose in a rather barren region called the Glades.
In 1874 Gladewater was incorporated with a mayor-alderman government. The incorporation lapsed, and a new charter was not obtained until 1931, when an influx of population necessitated organized city government. In 1955 Gladewater adopted a council-mayor form of government. The population grew slowly during the nineteenth century; the town had only 163 people in 1880 and 259 in 1900. In the area around Gladewater lumbering was a major activity, although farming was also important; cotton was the major crop. In 1908 the town had ten stores, one bank, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, a gin, a sawmill, and a planing mill
. It continued to grow slowly until 1931.
On April 7, 1931, the first Gladewater oil well blew in. It was located one mile (1.6 km) outside town in the Sabine River bottom. Oil production led to a population increase during the 1930s from about 500 to around 8,000 people. In 1940, after the oil boom, Gladewater had a population of 4,454. Civic improvements in the 1940s included an extensive paving project and a commercial airfield. Between 1940 and 1960 the population grew to 5,742. Lake Gladewater, constructed in 1954, provides recreation for city residents.
During the 1970s Gladewater moved from an oil-oriented to a more diversified economy, primarily because of depletion of oil resources in the area. The movement of salt water into the western edge of the large East Texas Oil Field
affected Gladewater first. By 1980 the town had a total of 6,548 residents, 4,311 in Gregg County and 2,237 in Upshur County. The economy in the 1980s depended on the oil industry and related activities and on the manufacture of such products as furniture, clothing, paper products, and boats. The lumber industry is also important, as is agriculture. By 1990 the community had become well known for its numerous antique stores. Important annual festivals include the East Texas Gusher Days in April, the Gladewater Roundup Rodeo in June and the Arts and Crafts Festival in September. And, the Christmas in November with Main Street packed with shoppers! Gladewater is back again booming with "Antiques" and earned the State Title: "Antique Capital of East Texas" Just 60 miles (96.6 km) from Gladewater, TX, you will find movies being filmed with A list stars, and Gladewater is their home for finding the perfect "movie promps"
In 1935, the Boston Red Sox
franchise had a minor league baseball team in Gladewater, the Gladewater Bears. The minor league stadium has since been turned into a city park. The predominant features of the stadium are long gone but the stadium is located near the Lee Building in Gladewater.
of 2000, there were 6,078 people, 2,257 households, and 1,593 families residing in the city. The population density
was 523.7 people per square mile (202.1/km²). There were 2,601 housing units at an average density of 224.1 per square mile (86.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.80% White, 16.12% African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.50% of the population.
There were 2,257 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,118, and the median income for a family was $32,278. Males had a median income of $24,770 versus $23,271 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,317. About 15.5% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
- Home of the Gladewater Bears.
Other Gladewater School Districts:
Gregg County, Texas
There were 42,687 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had...
and Upshur
Upshur County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,291 people, 13,290 households, and 10,033 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 14,930 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
Counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The population was 6,228 at the 2010 census. U.S. Highway 80 traverses the city.
The town is probably most famous as a base during Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's early career http://www.elvisbay.com/reviews/concerts/pics/gladewater54.jpg, and also as the town in which Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
wrote Walk the Line. In the early 20th century, Gladewater was an oil boom town. Gladewater is known as the "Antique Capital of East Texas" with its Main Street downtown antique district.
Geography
It is located at 32°32′34"N 94°56′49"W (32.542666, -94.946950), primarily within Gregg County.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.4 km²), of which 11.6 square miles (30.1 km²) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²) (4.37%) is water.
History
Gladewater is at the intersection of U.S. highways 80 and 271, thirteen miles (19 km) west of LongviewLongview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
on the boundary between Gregg and Upshur counties. It was founded by the Texas and Pacific Railway
Texas and Pacific Railway
The Texas and Pacific Railway Company was created by federal charter in 1871 with the purpose of building a southern transcontinental railroad between Marshall, Texas, and San Diego, California....
Company in 1873 on land bought from Jarrett Dean and Anderson White. A community called St. Clair, two miles (3 km) to the east, moved to Gladewater when the railroad announced that the only mail stop in the area would be there; residents from Point Pleasant, also bypassed by the railroad, moved to Gladewater. The first post office at Gladewater was established on August 22, 1873. The town's name probably originated from its proximity to Glade Creek, a stream that rose in a rather barren region called the Glades.
In 1874 Gladewater was incorporated with a mayor-alderman government. The incorporation lapsed, and a new charter was not obtained until 1931, when an influx of population necessitated organized city government. In 1955 Gladewater adopted a council-mayor form of government. The population grew slowly during the nineteenth century; the town had only 163 people in 1880 and 259 in 1900. In the area around Gladewater lumbering was a major activity, although farming was also important; cotton was the major crop. In 1908 the town had ten stores, one bank, two blacksmith shops, two hotels, a gin, a sawmill, and a planing mill
Planing mill
A planing mill is a facility that takes cut and seasoned boards from a sawmill and turns them into finished dimensional lumber. Machines used in the mill include the planer and matcher, the molding machines, and varieties of saws...
. It continued to grow slowly until 1931.
On April 7, 1931, the first Gladewater oil well blew in. It was located one mile (1.6 km) outside town in the Sabine River bottom. Oil production led to a population increase during the 1930s from about 500 to around 8,000 people. In 1940, after the oil boom, Gladewater had a population of 4,454. Civic improvements in the 1940s included an extensive paving project and a commercial airfield. Between 1940 and 1960 the population grew to 5,742. Lake Gladewater, constructed in 1954, provides recreation for city residents.
During the 1970s Gladewater moved from an oil-oriented to a more diversified economy, primarily because of depletion of oil resources in the area. The movement of salt water into the western edge of the large East Texas Oil Field
East Texas oil field
The East Texas Oil Field is a large oil and gas field in east Texas. Covering and parts of five counties, and having 30,340 historic and active oil wells, it is the largest oil field in the United States outside of Alaska, both in extent and in total volume of oil recovered since its discovery in...
affected Gladewater first. By 1980 the town had a total of 6,548 residents, 4,311 in Gregg County and 2,237 in Upshur County. The economy in the 1980s depended on the oil industry and related activities and on the manufacture of such products as furniture, clothing, paper products, and boats. The lumber industry is also important, as is agriculture. By 1990 the community had become well known for its numerous antique stores. Important annual festivals include the East Texas Gusher Days in April, the Gladewater Roundup Rodeo in June and the Arts and Crafts Festival in September. And, the Christmas in November with Main Street packed with shoppers! Gladewater is back again booming with "Antiques" and earned the State Title: "Antique Capital of East Texas" Just 60 miles (96.6 km) from Gladewater, TX, you will find movies being filmed with A list stars, and Gladewater is their home for finding the perfect "movie promps"
In 1935, the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
franchise had a minor league baseball team in Gladewater, the Gladewater Bears. The minor league stadium has since been turned into a city park. The predominant features of the stadium are long gone but the stadium is located near the Lee Building in Gladewater.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,078 people, 2,257 households, and 1,593 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 523.7 people per square mile (202.1/km²). There were 2,601 housing units at an average density of 224.1 per square mile (86.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.80% White, 16.12% African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.50% of the population.
There were 2,257 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,118, and the median income for a family was $32,278. Males had a median income of $24,770 versus $23,271 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,317. About 15.5% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The City of Gladewater is served by the Gladewater Independent School DistrictGladewater Independent School District
Gladewater Independent School District is a public school district based in Gladewater, Texas . In addition to Gladewater, the district serves Clarksville City and Warren City in northwestern Gregg County, parts of Upshur County, and northeastern Smith County.In 2009, the school district was rated...
- Home of the Gladewater Bears.
Other Gladewater School Districts:
- Union Grove Independent School DistrictUnion Grove Independent School DistrictUnion Grove Independent School District is a public school district based in Union Grove, Texas .Union Grove ISD has Two campuses - Union Grove High and Junior High , and Union Grove Elementary ....
- Sabine Independent School DistrictSabine Independent School DistrictSabine Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Liberty City, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.- Overview :...
Notable people
- Award-winning author Joe R. LansdaleJoe R. LansdaleJoe R. Lansdale is an American author and martial-arts expert. He has written novels and stories in many genres, including Western, horror, science fiction, mystery, and suspense...
. - James Scott - former Chicago Bears wide-receiver
- Winston HillWinston HillWinston Hill was an American college and professional football player. Hill hails from Joaquin, Texas. His father, the late Garfield Hill, served as principal of Weldon High School in Gladewater, Texas. Winston was a tennis champion in high school...
- All Pro Tackle with the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, a member of the Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion team - John Floyd - Former wide receiver with the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Skip ButlerSkip ButlerWilliam Foster "Skip" Butler is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the New Orleans Saints, the New York Giants, and the Houston Oilers....
- Former punter for the Houston Oilers - Stonie Clark - Former Defensive Tackle for the Texas Longhorns best known for his play at the goalline in the 1994 Red River Shootout with the Oklahoma SoonersOklahoma SoonersThe University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
. With 43 seconds left to go in the game, Stonie Clark tackled James Allen at the one yard line to help the Longhorns win 17-10. - Chris JohnsonChris Johnson (cornerback)Christopher Mario Johnson is an American football cornerback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville. Johnson previously played for the St...
- Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive back (Born in Gladewater grew up in Longview, TexasLongview, TexasLongview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
- Attended school at Pine Tree Independent School DistrictPine Tree Independent School DistrictPine Tree Independent School District is a public school district based in Longview, Texas . Pine Tree ISD serves western portions of Longview.In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.-Schools:...
) - Delmonico MontgomeryMonty MontgomeryDelmonico Lamont "Monty" Montgomery is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Indianapolis Colts , the San Francisco 49ers , the Philadelphia Eagles , and the New Orleans Saints ....
- Cornerback in the NFL for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. Defensive specialist for the New Orleans VoodooNew Orleans VooDooThe New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena....
, the Nashville KatsNashville KatsThe Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
, and is currently on the Kansas City BrigadeKansas City BrigadeThe Kansas City Command is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs Strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach...
roster in the Arena Football League. - John Ben ShepperdJohn Ben ShepperdJohn Ben Shepperd was the segregationist Texas attorney general from 1953–1957 who led resistance to the desegregation of public schools mandated by the 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka...
(1915–1990), former state attorney generalAttorney GeneralIn most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
and civic leader