A Brief History

The Chamber of Commerce was originally organized in Gilmer as the Board of Trade in 1915 for the purpose of paving as many roads as was possible in the local area. During this time there was not any federal or state assistance to for road maintenance available so the local community.  The men responsible were Sam Waghalter, Mr. Miller, Dick Denman, W.C. Frazier, Walter Barnwell, H.P. McGauphy, Dr. T.S. Ragland, Will Crosby, George Tucker and E.F. Aldredge.

The main result beside the paving of several farm and market roads is what is now Hwy. 271 from the Camp County line to the Gregg County line.

In 1916 the Board of Trade also succeeded in getting mail service delivery in Gilmer.

In 1919 the Board of Trade was reorganized as the  Gilmer Chamber of Commerce. 

Important Dates

1926 Helped Establish Post Office in Gilmer

1926 Paving of the Square in Downtown Gilmer

1935 Established the East Texas Yamboree

1935 Started the Annual Santa Parade for Needy Children

1940 26 Acres of Land were purchased by the Chamber of Commerce for building the R.E.A. Co-op.

1944 Planning started for the Gilmer Area Airport

1948 Organized the Upshur County Improvement Foundation (later becomes the Gilmer Civic Improvement Foundation)

1950 Gilmer Potteries, Inc. opens

1956 Chamber of Commerce starts operating the City Pool and Park and the cities request

1956-61 Planning for the New Yamboree Park Starts

1961 Gilmer Industrial Foundation founded  and the Gilmer Civic Improvement Foundation is merged with it.

1964 Black and White Yamboree School Parades are combined

1969 The Chamber sponsored the Airport dedication. The keynote speaker at the event  was Colonel Robert L. Stephen. Guests attending were Miss Texas Dana Dowell, and State Rep. George Hinson.

1972 The Yamboree Exhibit Building was built

1981 Upshur County Health Fair is Started

1981 The Civic Affairs Committee was formed to raise money for the construction of the Gilmer Civic Center

1987 The Gilmer Civic Center is completed

2010 Upshur County Goes Hog Wild Tournament Started

Diversification is what make us so special just just as a people but as a Chamber of Commerce.  Without businesses and individuals from all walks of life we will never be able to succeed in bringing the quality of life we all want to have to have and share within our community. Please help us  in bringing a vision of change and success to the future of Gilmer and Upshur County.

Join today!
Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce

106 Buffalo St.

Gilmer, TX 75644

903.843.2413