This Week in Odessa History

The operating hours of Odessa’s several saloons early in the last century were always a matter of controversy. No one seemed to care that they were open for business at 5 a.m., but there was concern about the closing time, which in 1912 was at 10:30 p.m.

A petition circulated in January 1912 asking for a 9 p.m. closure was presented to the Odessa Town Council, bringing considerable opposition from both citizens and business operators. The Record gave this report in its issue of February 2, 1912:

A petition asking for 9 o’clock and Sunday closing of saloons and temperance halls with something o...