The White-Pool House is a historic house museum in Odessa, Texas, and its operator describes it as the oldest remaining structure in Ector County. You can see a two-story red-brick home tied to the area’s pioneer and oil-boom eras; the museum offers free tours during its public hours.
- Location: 112 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Odessa, TX 79761.
- Public hours: Open Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday to Thursday
- Admission: Tours are free.
What the White-Pool House is
The White-Pool House is an 1887 brick home whose history reflects Odessa’s growth from a pioneer community into an oil-boom town. Charles and Lucy White built the two-story house with their sons, Wilfred and Herbert.
Oso Pool bought the house in 1923 and turned it into a five-unit apartment house during an oil-boom housing shortage. He later donated the house and six acres to Ector County, which accepted the donation on June 12, 1978. The White-Pool House Friends nonprofit formed in 1986 to help preserve its historic heritage.
The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is identified by its operator as a Texas Antiquity and Texas Archaeological Landmark. The Texas Historical Commission also recognizes it as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, with a marker year of 1980.
What to look for at the site
Period furnishings and family heirlooms connect the house’s rooms with the people who lived there and the eras it represents. The museum frames the site around both Odessa’s pioneer period and its oil-boom history, so the house’s changing use—from family home to apartments—is part of its story.
The grounds include a barn used as event space. The house and its facilities are also available for private event rentals.
How do you plan a visit to the White-Pool House?
Plan around the public schedule or arrange an appointment, then confirm visit details directly with the operator. The White-Pool House is about a 4-minute drive from Economy Inn, a hotel in Odessa.
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.
The visitor address is 112 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Odessa, TX 79761; the operator notes that it was formerly 112 E. Murphy Street. The historical marker record uses the former street address. For tour and event inquiries, call 432-333-4072 or email whitepoolhouse@outlook.com.
Call ahead because private events can occasionally close the site, and contact the operator to schedule a large-group tour. Parking availability, visitor-entry procedures, wheelchair accessibility and recommended visit length should also be confirmed directly. Check the official site before you go.
Pairing the house with nearby Odessa stops
Odessa city centre offers a broader setting for a visit that includes local attractions. The Odessa city centre visitor guide covers downtown planning.
For a fuller day of local stops, the one-day Odessa itinerary brings those ideas together.
FAQs
When is the White-Pool House open?
Open Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday to Thursday. Visits by appointment are also offered, and private events may occasionally affect access.
Are tours of the White-Pool House free?
Yes. Tours are free; contact the operator to arrange a large-group tour.
Can you rent the White-Pool House for an event?
Yes. The house and facilities are available for private event rentals, and the grounds include a barn used for event space.