This Week in Odessa History

Throughout the 1920s, Odessa was a stop on the circus circuit. It wasn’t the big time, like Barnum & Bailey or Ringling Brothers, but a medium-size show, which played up and down the West Coast.

Odessa was a favored stop because it was halfway and the largest town between Spokane and Wenatchee on the Great Northern Railway, and a nonstop haul between those two cities was a little too long for the circus train.

It provided a great show, including three rings with lions and clowns and trapeze artists.

Following is The Odessa Record’s report of June 11, 1920, of the circus which was about to appear.

Today is a gala day in Odessa. The Al G. Barnes big show rolled into town this morning and found the usual number of old and young boys eagerly waiting to get the first view of the elephants.

After the trains arrival, they were not long in getting the chance for the uninitiated. The modern circus is a model of system and efficiency, and the methods used in unloading opened wide the eyes of some of the onlookers.

The show appears to be larger this year than last, for it takes a larger train to haul it.

In the course of time, the popcorn, peanut and ice cream vendors together with the novelty dispensers were busy peddling their wares and raking in the surplus nickels that had been hoarded up by the kids. The canvas for the side shows and big top were also soon in the process of being set up.

Promptly at 1 o’clock, the big parade started from the grounds, and those who predicted that it would be a bobtail affair had another guess coming, for it was the largest ever to come to Odessa.

People last year learned that the Barnes show is the best animal show on the road, and the attraction is expected to draw more people than ever this year. Mr. Rosina, the head ticket man, says that Odessa is the best circus town of its size in this region. The circus will show in Spokane tomorrow and then cross the boundary into Canada, where it will be in Cranbrook, B.C. on Monday.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 14, 1912

In recent speeches delivered by Gov. Hay in different parts of the state the need of greater patriotism has been emphasized. He said in one speech delivered before a gathering of church people in Seattle, that under the direct primary the individual is responsible for clean government and pure politics. At Pullman where he addressed the old soldiers he said that progress will be made in all lines but that it must come under one flag, and that flag must be the flag which the old soldiers fought for in the Civil war.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 17, 1937

A rainfall, totaling .88 of an inch of moisture, falling during the past two weeks in a general rain throughout the entire area, has assured a good crop for this area. The rainfall brings the season’s total to 7.20 inches.

Crops have commenced to show results of dry weather and harvest prospects were dimmed. With the coming of the rain hopes took a new rise.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 18, 1987

The Odessa community float, appearing in two recent parades, has brought home more awards.

At Lind June 13, the float earned the parade’s Grand Sweepstakes award, added to top awards at Grand Coulee May 9, at Spokane May 16 and as early as May 2 at Wentachee.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 13, 2002

Don Graedel, who was born in Odessa and who farmed in the Odessa area during the 1980s, has returned as Odessa branch manager of the Wheatland Bank.

One hundred twenty-one Odessa High School graduates have made reservations to attend the Odessa Alumni Association’s 66th annual banquet and reunion.