This Week in Odessa History

Throughout the first half of the 20th Century, “market days” played an important role in the commerce of Odessa.

The events were planned to bring buyers into the stores. Bargain prices were offered. There was often entertainment. As the buyers were for the most part farmers of the area, sometimes farm seminars with agricultural experts as speakers, were on the program.

The very first market day took place 103 years ago. This was the report in The Odessa Record of November 20, 1908:

Despite the bad weather conditions prevailing yesterday, Odessa’s first farmers market day was a success.

It attr...