White's Snack Shop

White's Snack Shop was established, circa 1939, by Sidney and Willie Ola 'Sister' White. The first building was approximately 10' x 12'. In 1940, the building was doubled in size. When Texas Highway 64 was widened, the snack shop was moved further from the road. The snack shop was enlarged and remodeled for the last time in 1945. Their son, Truman, returned home from World War II service to find his boyhood marbles pressed into the front concrete steps to form his initials,'TW.' Today, those marbles are a little worn, but still visible.

White's Snack Shop was a typical '1940's Roadside Cafe,' plus a favorite off campus eatery for the Gaston School students. Many items were on the menu, but hamburgers or chili dogs, chips, cold drinks, ice cream, or candy was a typical student lunch - with your favorite juke box music.

White's was also a favorite stop for visiting teams and sports fans participating in sporting events on the Gaston campus, especially during tournaments and track meets.

The snack shop furnishings are original. There were more booths then, than now. Some furnishings have been removed to make room for museum exhibits.The building is typical oil field. Built with materials that were on hand or readily available.

This site, was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. White at five different times. At one time, the entire parcel of land was part of the H. L. and Irene Smith Gaston farm. In 1926, Mr. & Mrs. Gaston donated nine acres of land for a new school. The community schools of Miller and Mt. Hope consolidated in 1925 and were seeking a central location. The new school was named Gaston, in honor of Mrs. Gaston who was teaching in the Mt. Hope School at the time of consolidation. She continued to teach in the Gaston School until her retirement in 1933.

Truman and Billie White donated this property for a museum site in 1995. A perfect location for a museum to preserve the history and heritage of the Gaston area in the East Texas Oil Field.