This Week in Odessa History

Fire has leveled many Odessa buildings and businesses over the years.

Fires are rare today, because of safer heating systems and nearly fool-proof electrical wiring.

But in early time, buildings were vulnerable, especially during winter months, when coal stoves and furnaces often caused problems.

The Odessa Record reported the following about the Odessa Mercantile Company’s fire, which spread across the street to destroy the Odessa Hardware and Implement Company as one of the towns most disastrous fires, in its issue of February 7, 1913:

Fire, which broke out about 4 o’clock last Monday mornin...