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 morning in the Odessa Mercantile Company, consumed two of Odessa’s finest business structures, together with large stocks of goods, causing a property loss of something like $100,000.

The origin of the fire is unknown. When first discovered, it had gained considerable headway, and the flames soon burst out of the doors and windows of the building and, fanned by a strong northwest wind, were driven across the street to the Odessa Hardware and Implement Company’s building, which was also soon a roaring mass of flames. For a time, it looked as if the entire business section of the town was doomed, but just when the fire was the hottest, the wind suddenly veered around to the southwest and the flames were brought under control.

In the meantime the fire had spread to the frame building owned by S.P. Finney, adjoining the hardware, and was not put out until one corner of the front and the greater portion of the roof had been burned away. The fire of one of the rooms of the Finney-Wilson Block, used by the Odessa Mercantile Company as a store room for vehicles and implements, also caught fire several times but was put out, and the intense heat broke plate glass windows in the front end of the Nuelsen store and the Finney Building (now the VFW Building) across the street on First Avenue as well as those on the north side of Dr. Lee Ganson’s office (now the office of The Odessa Record in Record Square) and for a half block down the street.

The building occupied by the Odessa Mercantile Company was a two-story brick structure with a 50-foot frontage, and one of the finest buildings in town. Until recently, the upper floor had been used as a lodging house, but none of the rooms was occupied at the time. Mr. Finney’s loss on the building is estimated at $20,000, with insurance of $8,000. The Odessa Mercantile Company’s loss is $30,000 on which they will receive $22,000 insurance.

The Odessa Hardware and Implement Company building was a one-story brick structure, with a street frontage of 75 feet and was built seven years ago at a cost of something like $21,000. The hardware company’s loss on the building and contents will run close to $50,000 with insurance of $30,000.

S.P. Finney’s building is almost a complete wreck, and his loss is estimated at $1,000, with insurance at $600.

The fire loss is a heavy blow, not only to the individual owners, but also to the entire town. The destroyed buildings were often pointed out with pride by the citizens to visitors and were structures which any town might well be proud of. (Editors note: The Odessa Hardware and Implement Company’s building was rebuilt and today houses Schmidt Insurance and the Quilt Crossing. The Odessa Mercantile was also rebuilt as a one-story structure, only to burn to the ground again, when it was occupied by the Odessa Food Center in 1963. It was not rebuilt, and today is the vacant lot sometimes called the FestPlatz, the scene of the annual food circus during Deutschesfest.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

February 9, 1912

A petition asking for 9 o’clock and Sunday closing of saloons and temperance halls, with something over one hundred signers, was presented to the town council at Monday night’s meeting by Rev. Williams and Rev. Jaeger. A number of business men and citizens were present to protest against the granting of the petition, and a spirited discussion took place.

The petition has been a lively subject for discussion and the citizens seem to be badly divided on the question at issue.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

February 4, 1937

The blizzard of last week continued making news throughout the week end. On Friday, the highway crew brought Leslie Wormell, United Truck lines driver to Odessa for medical attention, after finding him badly gassed in his truck in which he remained for 18 hours, battling snow drifts and running his motor for warmth.

Dr. Glen Yount, Wilbur, traveled six miles behind a snow plow on the Odessa highway, then two more miles by sled through snow that reached the horse’s haunches. Rural mail carriers were able to carry but part of their routes. Stanley Klima resorted to the use of his snow car on Monday.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

February 8,1962

The very efficient Odessa volunteer firemen displayed their new fire truck Saturday in a downtown display that also presented the truck that is being replaced, and the hose cart that served the town 50 years ago.

The display was in front of the Strate furniture store. Mr Strate served the department for 28 years, 27 as chief. Another was Al Wagner, who had served 32 years before retiring.

“The time of furnishing irrigation water to the areas to be served by East High Canal will depend upon when the people in that area want irrigation,” W.E. Rawlings, project manager of the Columbia Basin project, told the Lind Chamber of Commerce group recently.

The speaker said that, in light of the present contracts in the basin area, plus the desire of persons in the Basin to bring about completion of irrigation projects already begun but not yet completed, no “new interest” is being shown in the East High project.

Rawlings said that the entire cost of the Columbia Basin Irrigation project to date, including the building of Grand Coulee dam, has been $540 million. A total of 44,000 acres have been brought under irrigation, and when the project is completed it will include 1,000,029 acres. Total cost is estimated to be $960 million.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

February 5, 1987

Odessa School District patrons, who overwhelmingly accepted a $291,000 maintenance and operations levy just a year ago, turned thumbs down on a smaller measure Tuesday, soundly defeating the $261,000 district offer.

Nearly 900 high school students from six eastern Washington counties are expected to compete in the Music Educators Solo and Ensemble contest February 7 in the Spokane Valley.

Local music educator Gordon Neale will send 25 Odessa students to the competition.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

February 7, 2002

School and hospital district levy requests were given wide approval by Odessa voters Tuesday, unofficial results released by the Lincoln County Auditor’s office indicated.

The $450,000 one-year replacement levy of Odessa School District #105 was approved, 332-156, or by a 68.17 percent of voters, while the $380,000 special levy proposed by Lincoln County Public Hospital District #1 was passed, 373-146, a 71.99 percent favorable vote.

Members of the jury in the trial of Stephen Frederick “Dutch” Fussell, accused of first-degree murder of Michael Brian Johnson in Odessa last May 20, Monday morning were transported from Lincoln County Courthouse in Davenport to inspect the site of the crime.

John F. Strohmaier and Randy J. Flyckt announced the formation of the law firm of Strohmaier & Flyckt, P.L.L.C., with offices in Odessa and Ritzville, effective March, 1, 2000.