This Week in Odessa History

Eighty years ago, in February 1933, when the Great Depression was still raging, the Washington State Legislature was considering a bill for the consolidation of sparsely populated contiguous counties as a means of cutting costs of government.

Lincoln, Adams and Grant Counties were then three of the state’s smallest counties. Lincoln County was the largest, with a population of 11,876 inhabitants, Adams County followed with 7,719 and Grant County was third with 5,666.

Odessa was in the center of this 6,912-square-mile, three-county region, and might have been the logical location for the courthouse of a new county.

Discussions on the topic took place at several meetings of the Odessa Commercial Club meetings, often ending in the conjecture that Odessa would be chosen as the county seat:

The Odessa Record in its issue of February 3, 1933 reported:

“The Commercial Club on Wednesday at its regular meeting in Brooks Cafe endorsed a proposed consolidation of Adams, Lincoln and Grant counties, when it was shown that the change would cut out at least two courthouses and the majority of two sets of county officers, thereby making an appreciable difference in the taxes to be raised from each individual county. The proposal showed that the consolidation would create a county of 25,261 people. Among the duplications which would be erased in part were listed as nine deputy sheriffs, three judges and three sets of similar office holders whose work would not be greatly increased if put onto one unit rather than three.”

Nothing ever came of the proposal, and as time went on the plan became less viable. Grant County became the center of the Columbia Basin irrigation project, and its population has increased to 80,000 since 1933. Adams County’s panhandle, with Othello as its hub, has also experienced a population explosion.

Lincoln County, however, in 1933 was the largest of the three counties in population, today is the smallest, with about 1,000 fewer people than lived in the county 70 years ago.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

January 24, 1913

W.H. Becker has disposed of his harness business, including the stock and building, to Peter Green of Wenatchee, who took possession yesterday. Mr. Becker accepted in exchange for the business a five-acre orchard tract at Wenatchee, which went into the deal at $13,000. The tract contains a bearing orchard, and is improved with a large, modern house and other buildings, is located close in, and considered one of the best places in the valley.

The mask ball given by Fred Balmer, manager of the opera house, last Saturday evening, attracted a large crowd, the floor being well filled with maskers, while the room was lined with spectators. Many beautiful costumes were worn, also some that bordered on the ridiculous. The prizes for the best costumes were awarded to Mrs. J.R. Lowe and Chester Chase, and Mrs. Phoebe Collins and Jos. Kaune drew prizes for the best sustained characters.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

January 27,1938

The Odessa Grange Supply company, at its annual stockholders meeting on Friday night, reelected Dave Weber, president; H.G. Heimbigner, vice president; and R.W. Joyner, secretary-treasurer, with Otis Cater and Hugo Zagelow as executive board members.

The firemen’s smoker was a complete success, according to reports on Sunday. Two new members, John W. Scrupps and Jake C. Raugust were initiated.

The worth of Odessa as a trading center was strikingly illustrated this week when W.C. Raugust, manager of the Odessa Trading company, received a bonus check from the International Harvester company, which was accompanied by a letter from H.C. Knudsen, manager of the Spokane office, stating that it was his belief this was the largest check issued to any dealer in the United States, working out of a single place of business.

To many, unfamiliar with the true nature of the Odessa region, the area is considered as a poor country, with light soil and equally light pocketbooks. However, success of business firms in the community reveal a picture of prosperity.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

January 24,1963

Cold weather has continued during the week, with no sign of snow. Skating has been excellent.

Delmar Kirstein has purchased the barber business of Joe Brandon and will take possession on Tuesday. Kirstein, a graduate of the Odessa high school, has worked in shops in Wenatchee and Ritzville since completing barber college work.

The pre-school PTA met to discuss the coming kindergarten session. It was voted that an eight-week session will be held this year with Mrs. Albert Kirstein as teacher.

Marlin-Odessa trapshooters reacted to the weather on Sunday on the opening day of the Inland Empire tournament. The team came up with a 73 score, aided by the straight shot by Jerry Starkel.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

January 28, 1988

“This year we are seeking a two-year levy, another way we have of confirming for the patrons of this district that we’re holding the line on costs despite increases we see happening,” said superintendent Gordon Wallace in his report to the board.

Each of the next two years we’ll get by on the same amounts that the district voters approved for us last year, $261,000.”

Overall, the two-year proposal will stabilize our operating costs and reassure district patrons that we won’t be making any drastic changes for the next two years,” he said.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

January 30, 2003

Finishing touches were being applied this week to the newly expanded physical therapy department at the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center in preparation for an open house to which the public is invited on Sunday.

“The expansion and remodeling program has provided 1,725 square feet of floor space at a cost of approximately $475,000, nearly all of the funds coming from gifts by individuals and from proceeds raised by the Odessa Healthcare Foundation,” said OMHC administrator Mark Barglof.