Charles and Lucy White could never have imagined that the two-story red brick house they built in Odessa in 1887 would become one of the Permian Basin’s most popular attractions, both for touring and as an events center. The Whites and their sons, Wilfred and Herbert, built the house when Odessa was barely six years old. Since then, just like the city, the house has gone through many transformations.
Today, the White-Pool House is a Texas Antiquity, a Texas Archaeological Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a member of the Texas Pecos Trail tourism region and Discover Odessa. The entire setting serves as a museum that offers a glimpse into the past through memorabilia owned by the White and Pool families and other period pieces.
That alone would be enough, but the historic house is so much more. It is one of the most sought-after venues in the Permian Basin for birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions, corporate events, reunions, and weddings. The event venue, built on the original 640 acres, offers a lavish setting for even the most exquisite of affairs. The response has been tremendous, as the accolades attest. “We have been voted Best in the Basin for two consecutive years,” said Christine Holcomb, executive director.
From left The Historic White-Pool House as it stands today; White-Pool House set up for a pastel wedding.
And it’s no wonder. The historic venue offers the very best in accommodations that even the most discerning eye would appreciate. A blurb on the website says it best: “The historic home, barn and beautiful garden offer a perfect venue for your special day. Our garden, grounds and historic buildings provide wonderful backdrops to capture the magic of your important occasion. We know how stressful it can be to find the perfect venue in the Permian Basin. At The White-Pool House, you CAN have a beautiful wedding and reception without breaking the bank.”
The house and surrounding acreage are owned by Ector County and operated by the White-Pool House Friends, a nonprofit organization formed in 1986 for charitable and educational purposes. Revenue from renting the facilities for private gatherings allows the Friends to keep the museum open to the public free of charge. The museum, which includes the house and grounds, is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment.
The events venue offers two packages, a larger one for weekends and the “Short & Sweet” package for weekdays. The Victorian Bridal Ready Room is available to add a touch of that era’s elegance to a wedding package. To schedule a tour of the museum on days it is closed or to schedule an event, call 432-333-4072, send email to whitepoolhouse@outlook.com, or fill out an event information request on the website, whitepoolhouse.com.
A blurb on the website tells what is included in an event package:
- Multiple locations for ceremony and reception
- Garden and beautiful grounds (great for photography)
- Ample parking with security provided
- List of suggested vendors and local resources
- Use of electrical outlets and restroom facilities
- Tables and chairs for the event
Left to right Ray Ernest Pool, Jr. on his horse, Prince, 1939; The Historic White-Pool House Bridal room; set up for a Black & Gold event.
For Holcomb, the executive director, the events venue offers a unique and elegant setting, pays the bills, and draws people to the museum, which is dear to her heart. “A terrific byproduct of our events is that we get people who would never have taken the time to stop at a museum,” she said.
Holcomb has long been a history lover. She majored in Russian history at Texas Tech University, was an antiques dealer, and serves as executive-at-large on the board of the White-Pool House Friends. Visitors to the property come away impressed and awed by its rich history, which is told through artifacts belonging to two previous owners–Charles and Lucy White, who built it, and Oso and Ida Pool.
The Whites moved to West Texas from Indiana in the mid-1880s after their grain business suffered heavy losses in the post-Civil War era. That business failure combined with Lucy’s need for a dry climate due to health reasons, prompted them to move to Ector County. They were lured by the Texas and Pacific Railroad’s offer of property in the county. The Whites built their now-famous house in 1887, just six years after Odessa and sister city Midland were founded, as a result of the railroad coming through. Charles White died on June 14, 1905, and Lucy moved with a son, Herbert, to Mineral Wells. The house went through various ownerships until the Pools purchased it in 1923. Either Oso Pool or a member of his family owned the house until it and the surrounding six-acre plot were donated to Ector County in 1978.
An interesting historical tidbit occurred when oil was discovered in Ector County in 1926. A tremendous influx of people created a housing shortage and Pool saw an opportunity. He turned the home into a five-unit apartment building by partitioning the rooms, adding bathrooms, and closing in porches.
The White-Pool House is now back to its original state and occupies a unique place in Ector County’s history. It is the oldest remaining structure in the county and represents the two dominant eras of Odessa’s history–the pioneer and oil boom days. The board of the White-Pool House Friends extends a Texas-sized welcome to all: “We strive to make your event day perfect and are always on hand to assist in anything you may need. We look forward to hearing from you!”
