Gaston Public School

An oil boom here in the early 1930s prompted the formal organization of the Gaston Independent School District in 1931 to cope with the community's rapidly expanding student population. The district chose Dallas architects Emory White and Howard DeFee to design both an elementary and a 2-story high school building. These brick structures were completed at this site, along with a football field, in 1932. The district added a wooden gymnasium and brick auditorium in 1936, home economics cottage in 1938, brick cafeteria in 1939 and shop building in 1940. Linked by arcades, the structures exhibit classically articulated features and sophisticated cast-stone and window details. The rustic style landscaping, which includes walls made of native stone from the nearby Hardy farm, was completed by the Works Progress Administration in 1936-1940. Students at this institution earned county, district and regional championships in football, basketball, and track, as well as awards in journalism, band, debate and other literary areas, including a Rhodes Scholarship, during the 1940s and 1950s. Gaston schools merged with the London school system in 1965 to form the West Rusk County Independent School District. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1993

Gaston Public School is a historical marker in Henderson, Rusk County, dedicated in 1992. It is one of 72 historical markers documented in Rusk County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 184 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.1791, -94.8917 near Henderson. The nearest cataloged historic site is Mt. Hope (cemetery), about 0.9 miles away. Others within a short drive include Joiner No. 3 Daisy Bradford, Pleasant Hill, and Burton, George W..

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5401010998. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.