As you continue to 108 E Commerce, the bright marquee of the Jackson Theater historic comes into view. Built in 1935, under the name of The Cozy Theatre, it quickly became one of East Texas’s premier entertainment venues, locals gathered to watch the latest Hollywood films where Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tina Turner, rumored to be in the audience during their music stops.
In the early 1980s, the theater found new life as the Gladewater Opry, transitioning into a live country music venue. It continues to host regular performances today, keeping the sound and spirit of East Texas music alive. If you have the chance to step inside, you may still sense the echoes of those unforgettable performances in the old wooden rafters.