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29 May 2008
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Gaston Public School Complex, Joinerville, Rusk Co, TX
Take SH 64 west from Henderson about 6 miles. The school
is on the right.
Marker Text
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)
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