This Week in Odessa History

With the proposal for a new bridge across Crab Creek on Dobson Road announced this week, it is interesting to note that the concrete bridge on First Avenue in Odessa, in recent years considered a candidate for replacement, was planned 79 years ago this week and was actually built 78 years ago in 1934.

A new, reinforced concrete bridge was to be built, replacing a steel truss structure which had served since 1914. That bridge, in turn, had replaced the original wooden bridge across the creek in 1908. Before then, horses and wagons had to ford the stream, which then ran through Odessa the year around.

The planned concrete bridge of 89 years ago was considered to be the last word in modern construction safety. It was opened in early 1934. While the bridge is still structurally sound, it is regarded as being unsafe because it is too narrow by today’s traffic standards and its concrete railings pose a visibility problem for motorists entering First avenue from side streets.

The Record hailed plans for the new bridge with this story in its issue of November 24, 1933:

The plans for the concrete bridge to be erected in Odessa replacing the steel bridge on First Avenue call for construction of a beautiful bridge and at the same time call for 500 cubic yards of excavation work, much of which will be done by hand.

The bridge will rest on two large abutments and two pylons, with a 24-foot roadbed and two five-foot concrete walks on each side. The walks will be raised above the roadbed level and the edges will be marked with red guide lights of the reflector type.

Bids for the bridge construction and removal of the old structure will be opened on December 5, with work on the bridge expected to start soon thereafter.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 6, 1912

One of the most destructive fires that has visited Odessa for a number of years broke out last Saturday morning in the Bullock block, a one story brick structure in the center of the business district, and raged for over three hours before it was brought under control.

The fire originated in the east rooms of the building, which has been occupied by Dobson’s meat market, but had been vacated temporarily to permit a series of repairs to be made, while the stock meat and part of the fixtures had been moved to the room two doors further west in the same building.

In the room vacated a new floor was being laid and the walls plastered, and a couple of old stoves had been set up to dry out the plaster. It was from one of these that the building evidently caught fire, and when discovered it had gained a good start, and soon spread over the upper part of the buildings between the ceiling and roof, which made it difficult to get at.

In the meantime, the effort of the fire fighters were directed to saving the adjoining buildings, and through the Smith block, in which The Record and Snyder’s barber shop were located.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 25,1937

Frontier history gained an item of interest when Thomas White, Wilbur building contractor, discovered a sales statement between two logs while repairing “Wild Goose” Bill’s original house there.

The statement was headed at Sprague, Washington territory, and dated April 4, 1884. The itemized account revealed that Wilbur Condon, the pioneer known as “Wild Goose” Bill, on that date bought 222 pounds of bacon at 15 cents a pound; 10 packages of seed, $2.50, and four small packages of seed, 40 cents. The ink is still in good color, except on the envelope.

Senator Schwellenbach has disclosed that the Washington delegation will make a drive to secure a budget estimate for $18,000,000 to continue work on the Grand Coulee dam. He was told that it would be possible and feasible to complete the high dam in 19 months from the award of the contract if money was made available in sufficient amounts.

But he realizes it may not be possible to obtain such a large appropriations. He anticipates it will be difficult to get $18,000,000 even if that amount is favored by the budget because there will certainly be a strong drive in congress to cut down all such large items in the interest of economy.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 26, 1987

The Odessa Town Council last Monday night seated newly-elected council member Linda Burghard early, then learned a prime lease at the airport will not be renewed in 1988.

Craig Smith has notified the town administration his Odessa Farming Service, Inc. lease on airport property will be allowed to expire at the end of the year.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

November 28, 2002

The Odessa Town Council Tuesday passed a resolution approving a proposal by Lincoln County to construct a new bridge across Crab Creek on Dobson road at the eastern end of town.

The county had asked approval of the town for the projected new span which would replace the 78-year-old bridge now in use.

The bridge would replace the one which now has load limits, is too narrow and is forbidden for use by county trucks and other heavy equipment.

The decaying Dobson road bridge across Crab Creek in east Odessa is due for replacement as soon as state funding is available. The structure was considered an engineering marvel when it was built in 1924 as the final link in the completion of the North Central Highway. Its five spans on concrete pylons made it the longest bridge in the county.