This Week in Odessa History

Refurbishing of Schmidt Insurance Company’s building on First Avenue is now under way.

The renovation includes mortar repair and cleaning of bricks, as well as the installation of a new awning. The structure, one of the largest and most impressive of Odessa’s downtown buildings, is the home of Schmidt Insurance Services and the Quilt Crossing.

108 years ago this week, the building was under construction. The Record reported in its issue of October 13, 1905, that it would be the largest and finest business building in town.

The original building was completed in early 1906. It was seriously damaged by a fire that spread from the burning Odessa Mercantile across Fourth Street (Now Division Street) in 1913, but was soon rebuilt.

The Record’s story on plans for the original building, headlined “Odessa’s Largest Building,” follows:

The Odessa Hardware & Implement Company’s new brick building the foundation of which is now nearly completed, will contain more floor space than any other building in the city.

Its dimensions will be 75x125 feet with a 19½-foot-high ceiling and a 9½-foot-deep basement under the entire building. The basement will be well-lighted and one section fitted up for the tinning and plumbing department and the remainder for a machinery display room.

The architectural effects of the building are splendid, a combination of strength and beauty. Being on a corner, it will have two fronts, a solid plate glass one on the south side and a partial one on the east. Both of these sides will be finished with pressed brick and present an imposing appearance.

The main store will have floor space of 75x90 feet, in the rear of which will be used for the display of buggies and other vehicles.

The center of the store space has been reserved for a public office and adjoining this, a private office. For the convenience in handling heavy wares, an elevator will be placed in the rear of the store.

The interior will be finished in natural wood and oil and fitted out with fixtures of the best and latest patterns that money can buy, and when all is completed Odessa can boast of the finest retail hardware store in this section of the state.

The building was designed by Preusse & Zittel, of Spokane, and is being built by Heydon & Lind, of Odessa, under the direction of Mr. Preusse. It will be ready for occupancy the first of the year.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 1, 1912

The sample ballot for the general election November 5, has been issued by County Auditor J.W. Brislawn. Four amendments to the state constitution are presented to the voters for their acceptance, and in addition, the question whether Lincoln County shall accept the system of township organization.

Six party tickets are printed on the ballot, which, given in the order in which they appear on the ballot, are as follows: Republican, Democratic, Socialist, Socialist Labor, Prohibition and Progressive.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 21,1937

The city council on Monday night, received word from H.A. Thompson, county assessor, certifying that the assessed valuation of the town of Odessa for the year 1937 was $267,625.

The 18 hunters employed by the state took a total of 515 predatory animals during the past month, which 487 coyotes, 22 bobcats, three bears and three miscellaneous.

Hunters reported the following losses during the month: 43 sheep, 324 chickens, 24 turkeys, 4 sage-hens and two Huns killed by coyotes, and two sheep killed by bear.

Gunfire ended the career of three boys from this district that started a spectacular crime series by breaking into two Odessa business houses on Monday, continuing on to Harrington to add stores there to their list, and continuing toward the coast, until, trapped in the dead end of a street at Seattle, two were shot and a third captured.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 22, 1987

Lincoln Electric Cooperative of Davenport has announced an incentive for qualifying wood-heat customers to use electricity instead for heat this winter.

The program has been designed to give customers an opportunity to use the current surplus power generated by Bonneville Power Administration. While BPA normally sells its surplus power outside the Northwest, this year it is being offered to utilities within the area who are, in turn, offering to their wood-heat customers at a discount.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 24, 2002

Two local businesses were burglarized Monday evening, October 21.

Entry was gained through the roof of Denny’s Food. Unknown items were taken according to police chief Joe Mueller.

The front door was used on the Odessa Golf Course robbery where money was stolen and the #3 rental golf cart.

More than two-thirds of Lincoln County voters will be voting by mail in the general election on November 4, Lincoln County Auditor Shelly Johnston said Tuesday.

The county has 6,227 active voters, and Johnston’s office has mailed out 4,264 vote-by-mail ballots.

“Voting by permanent absentee ballot seems to be a trend,” Johnston said. It’s more convenient for many people, she said. It also saves time and money for the county government.