ust around the corner, you’ll find the Gladewater History Museum at 116 West Pacific. Step inside to explore a thoughtfully curated collection that tells Gladewater’s 150 year story, from its railroad roots in the 1870s to its oil boom years of the 1930s and 1940s.
The museum is staffed by dedicated volunteers with deep ties to the community, many of whom have family connections to the oil boom and enjoy sharing personal memories with visitors. Exhibits include drilling equipment, photographs of bustling streets filled with Model Ts and oil derricks, and a space devoted to Gladewater’s rich musical heritage.
Over the years, Gladewater has welcomed countless musicians, from country performers to early rockabilly artists, earning the town a place on the Texas Music Trail. The museum’s Music Room honors that legacy and serves as a fitting tribute to a town that once entertained oilmen, musicians, and dreamers alike.