The #610 Texas & Pacific steam locomotive rolled through Gladewater on May 13, 1873. Land for the railroad was acquired in 1870 from Mr. & Mrs. Anderson White with the provision that the Texas & Pacific Railroad Company survey the surrounding land for the development of a town and depot. The establishment of the first depot in the second block west of Main Street on Pacific Avenue led to Gladewater being officially put on the map January 10, 1873.