White's Family Home

Sidney White arrived in the East Texas Oil Field discovery area in 1931, looking for work. His brothers had come earlier and found jobs with a Dixie Service Station and Dixie oil terminal. He was hopeful that he could do the same - he did. His brothers were living in a tent, which was something new for Sidney! Many people were living in tents. However, their tent did have a wood floor, which was better than a dirt floor like many tents had in this area.

Sidney had a wife and son waiting to join him. Improvements to the tent were important. A permanent roof replaced the canvas roof, side boards created walls, and windows were added. The ceiling was installed following the lines of the rafters that had supported the canvas roof, allowing the inside ceiling to retain the outline of the original tent. Today, as you enter their Tent House home, you have a glimpse of the original tent. A room was also added. Mrs. White and their son arrived in 1932. The White family settled in for life in the East Texas Oil Field and remained in the area for the remainder of their lives.

Truman White and his wife, Billie, donated the property to the Gaston Museum for a building site. The property has four significant buildings, the White's Family Home is one of the buildings and a vital part of the museum's educational program's focus of "Life in the East Texas Oil Field."

You're invited to 'step back to the 1930's' - - visit Gaston Museum, located in the community of Joinerville, Texas. 2.2 miles from the discovery well - the Daisy Bradford #3........ directions available.