From the city-centre side of Odessa, the White-Pool House offers a look at the area’s early settlement and oil-boom history. This historic house museum is a stop to plan from Executive Inn; confirm tour availability before setting out.
- Address: 112 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Odessa
- Public hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Museum tours are free; visits are also available by appointment
- Call ahead because private events are held on most weekends
What is the White-Pool House?
The White-Pool House is a two-story red-brick museum and the oldest remaining structure in Ector County, according to its operator. Charles and Lucy White and their sons Wilfred and Herbert built it in 1887, after the family moved from Indiana to West Texas in search of new opportunities and a drier climate for Lucy’s health.
The house changed hands and purpose over time. Oso William Pool bought it with 50 acres in 1923, and it was converted into apartments during the 1927 oil boom.
Today, the operator describes the house as restored to its original state, with period pieces and family heirlooms that represent Odessa’s pioneer and oil-boom eras. Inside, plaster masonry covers wooden lattice boards, and native caliche rock lines the cellar.
The Texas Historical Commission identifies the house as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; its marker was designated in 1980. The operator also identifies it as a site on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Texas Antiquity and Texas Archaeological Landmark.
How do you find the White-Pool House in Odessa?
Use 112 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Odessa, as the museum address. The Historic White-Pool House marker record gives the location as 112 E. Murphy, the street’s former name, and says the marker is in situ and not on private property.
For a broader sense of where the stop fits around town, the Odessa city centre guide covers the city centre.
What are the White-Pool House hours, admission and access arrangements?
Visits are also available by appointment. Tours are free, but private events take place on most weekends throughout the year, so call ahead to confirm that a tour is available before you go.
Opening hours
- Friday and Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
For tour information or to arrange a large-group tour, call 432-333-4072 or email whitepoolhouse@outlook.com. The operator also invites visitors to arrange a personal tour during normal Friday and Saturday hours. Hours and access can change, so check the official site before you go.
How can you plan this stop with other Odessa sights?
Give the house its own confirmed tour slot, then use the rest of your day to visit other parts of Odessa. The one-day Odessa itinerary can help you organize a wider city visit without assuming the museum will be open when you arrive.
From Executive Inn Odessa, it’s about a 7-minute drive to the White-Pool House; you could pair the visit with time in the city centre.
The house’s history spans Odessa’s late nineteenth-century settlement and the oil boom that transformed it in the twentieth century. That makes it a focused local-history stop; combine it with other plans only after checking the museum’s availability directly.
FAQs
Is the White-Pool House free to visit?
Yes. The operator describes museum tours as free. Confirm tour availability before going, especially on weekends.
Can you visit the White-Pool House by appointment?
Yes. The operator says visits are available by appointment and asks visitors to call or email for tour information and large-group arrangements.
What is the White-Pool House known for?
Built in 1887, it is described by its operator as the oldest remaining structure in Ector County. The restored house presents Odessa’s pioneer and oil-boom eras.