Whiteface Power Plant

One of three engines furnished Whiteface with power from the 1930's to 1950, usually being cranked up about sundown. Thursday afternoons were designated as "Ironing Day," so the engines were started early to allow the ladies of the town to do their ironing. Owned and operated as a private enterprise by Mr. E.L. Smith, the engines gave him leverage over how and when power was used in town. One early fall night in 1935, when a new gym had been completed and a game was to be played there, the lights produced only a dim glow even with the three engines running at full throttle, so Mr. Smith drove all over Whiteface telling each patron to either turn off their lights and go to bed or come to the gym where a game was fixing to start, and it was assumed they did as they were told.

Whiteface, Texas · United States