For every family that moved to East Texas, there was at least one child and possibly more. As town populations grew, the student population grew as well. Often there was not enough room in existing school buildings and classes were held outside. And half-day sessions were introduced.
There were no computers, no internet, and no TVs, but there were lots of books like these here on display.
The desks looked like these with ink wells for the fountain pens used. The modern-day ballpoint pens were not commonplace until many years later and weren’t even invented until 1938.
Several large schools were built in East Texas including the Gaston School, located in modern-day Joinerville. The Gaston Independent School District was formally organized in 1931. The district chose Dallas architects to design both an elementary and a 2-story high school. These brick structures were completed, along with a football field, in 1932. The rustic style landscaping was completed by the Works Progress Administration between 1936 and 1940. The school district was once recognized as the world's largest rural school when its enrollment jumped from 85 students to 1800 during the oil boom.
You may have heard of the London School Explosion that happened on March 18, 1937. It is the deadliest school disaster in American history, nearly 300 lives were lost. It’s a record we hope will never be broken. Due to the explosion that was caused by a natural gas leak, there is now an odorant added to alert people that a gas leak is happening. Additional details of this event are within the "Church Exhibit" stop, for younger visitors, please use discretion.
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