This Week in Odessa History

Fifty-three years ago, excavation work at the Titan missile launching site at Batum, 16 miles southwest of Odessa, was underway, and members of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and other area residents were given a tour of the facility.

The Chamber was assisting the U.S. Air Force and contractors for the base’s construction in placing workers on the job and in finding housing for them in Odessa as well as in vacant farm homes in the area.

Employment during early phases of construction was about 200. This went up to 1,300 the following year, as launching equipment was installed. Of course, not all the crew lived in Odessa. Many commuted from Moses Lake, as the construction program was directed from Larson Air Force Base. But for a time, Odessa was Lincoln County’s largest town, its population swollen to 1,400 by the influx of workers.

Within two years, the Batum Titan site was a ghost base. It was closed as being obsolete before it was operational.

Here are excerpts from The Odessa Records editions during April 1960, describing the first tour and other progress at the base:

The firing round for the 6,300 -mile-range Titan missile, going into rapid construction at Batum, was viewed by a delegation from Odessa on April 22.

The trip was arranged through The Odessa Record and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel R.W. Fritz, of Larson Air Force Base.

Some 350,000 yards of earth had been removed to open the construction, all to be covered over when the project is completed. The spots for each of the missile launchers are three holes, each 160 feet deep and 44 feet across. These will be locations of the silos to house the missiles.

The visitors saw huge cranes, trucks and other equipment in operation. They viewed excavations for tunnels, which will hole massive electrical wiring systems. Also in the tunnel excavation pattern are the locations for the central center, power house and equipment which will raise the Titan missiles to the surface for firing.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 28, 1913

The students of the Odessa high school scored a signal success last Friday evening when they presented “The Pennant,” a comic operetta in two acts, at the opera house. In fact, it was the best thing in the amusement line ever attempted by the high school, and there was not a dull moment during the entire evening.

The leading parts were taken by Weldon Williams, John Schoonover, Joseph Shimek, Otto Wagner, Aleck Kramer, Rose Lowe, Mary Jasmann and Myrtle Joyner, who all acquitted themselves with much credit. The following students also did well in the minor roles: Paul Janikula, Cecil Jenks, Glenn Becker, Mary Shimek, Leona Holmes, Gottlieb Maier, Alva Logsdon, Carl Horn, Jacob Woitt, Gustav Schlimmer, Jacob Bastrom, Orlou Ganson, Elsa Logsdon, Iva Finney, Helen sock, Claude Wagner, Gertie Jasmann and Florence Low.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 31,1938

The park board and Jacob Suchland caretaker of the city park, this week planted six new trees, including two cork elm, two weeping willows and two Norway spruce.

The Odessa Trading Company’s sale of nearly 200 head of horses brought the usual numbers of horse buyers, who exhibited a lesser interest in purchasing. Prices as a whole were good.

The Lloyd Transfer company of Seattle delivered a 42-foot passenger boat at the Wilbur-Keller ferry, which will soon begin operating on the Columbia, making connection with another boat below the dam for passengers on to Wenatchee. The boat carries 50 passengers.

The Birge wrecker was called into service to remove one of the town’s oldest landmarks, the wooden tower supporting the old fire bell. The bell had served since the town grew large enough to require fire protection.

The massive bell, estimated to weigh nearly 1000 pounds, was lowered by a pulley, after which the cable from the tower and the structure pulled over.

The bell will be mounted on the city hall, to serve as emergency warning in case of electrical disturbances that may render the siren useless.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 28,1963

Friday, April 5, starts a big weekend for the Odessa people, one that may become a permanent attraction in the future. Included are a cooking school, breeder cattle show, horse show and a rodeo arena program of bull riding and team roping.

In 1938, Odessa chapter of Eastern Star, No. 233, with Mrs. Winifred Keller as worthy matron, received its charter.

The evening celebrated the twenty-fifth charter anniversary with the charter members as honored guests.

Twenty-five year pins were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Keller of Spokane, Mr. and Mrs. Al Birge of Chewelah, Mrs. Martha Williams, Mrs. Margaret Laney, Mrs. Lydia Scrupps, Mrs. Vera Zagelow, Mrs. Rita Carstens of Harrington, Mrs. Mary Heimbigner and Mrs. Marie Scrupps.

Six Odessa students were named to the honor roll at Washington State University for the past semester, states a news item from the university offices this week. Those honored are Michael C. Gies, Norma D. Gettman, Lewis P. Heimbigner, Lonny Ray Suko, Ellen K, Tanck and Robert L. Zagelow.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 31, 1988

With visual aids, Matvei Finkel spoke to a group of third and fourth grade students to hear the Soviet emigrant discuss his homeland, particularly rural life and Russian children.

Seafirst Bank employee Mavis Smith has been selected as one of the bank’s statewide Outstanding Volunteers for 1988.

“Mavis’ volunteer work consists of the facts that she was instrumentally involved in forming the Odessa Deutsches Fest, her activities as a board member of the Odessa Economic Development Committee, her work with the doctor search committee, and her active involvement with the Odessa Chamber of Commerce,” said Bonnie Gale of Seattle.

Under a new law passed in the just-completed session of the state legislature, alcohol/drug offenses committed by youth ages 13 through 17 will result in revocation of driver licenses.

“There are no second chances, and no discretion regarding the revocation,” warned Lincoln County juvenile court administrator Pam Shotwell.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

April 3, 2003

Board members of the Odessa Public Development Authority and Mayor Carl Ryan were presented with a Community Award plaque by the state Office of Community Trade and Economic Development to Town of Odessa and the Lincoln County Economic Development Council “for demonstrating the goals and values of rural economic vitality through the Odessa Public Development Authority, resulting in the creation of new jobs and economic opportunity in Lincoln County. OPDA members are Roger Sebesta, Jim Walter, Judy Scrupps, Todd King, Carl Ryan, Kim Ramm and Clay Floch.

The Odessa committee of Ducks Unlimited will hold its 20th annual banquet at the Odessa Community center on April 19.

“The Ducks Unlimited success story is one that makes us proud to be volunteers,” said Doug Plinski, chairman of the event.

The 33rd Annual Desert 100 race, poker run and dual sports event has a new location this year, right here, outside Odessa.

The event, to be held April 12 and 13 is presented by the Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club, is known as the “grandaddy of Northwest Desert races,” were for many years held in Mattawa and later moved to the range area west of Vantage.

An estimated 2,200 bike entrants are expected to participate. The family-oriented event is expected to draw about 6,000 people to the area.