Glidden is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Colorado County, Texas, United States.

Located along the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the town site was originally established by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway in 1885.

[3] The post office was opened three years later, and the town served as a major railroad maintenance facility stop between Houston and El Paso.

Between January 1911 and April 1912, a series of ax murders occurred in Texas and Louisiana, claiming 49 victims.

In Glidden, a woman with her four children and a male guest were all murdered in their sleep in March 1912.