This Week in Odessa History

Natural gas as a source of heat and power was on its way to Odessa 41 years ago this week.

To provide this new service by the Washington Water Power company, construction crews were laying pipelines throughout the town completing the extension of the natural gas transmission line from Harrington to Odessa.

The Odessa Record gave this report on progress of the installation:

A crew of around a dozen men from Mid-Mountain Construction Company, contractor for the installation of gas pipe for the Washington Water Power Company, started laying the gas system in the town of Odessa on July 10.

The crew is using two backhoes, a tamper and a large reel which lays the 2-inch plastic pipe, which then is bonded together by heat and wrapped with copper wire so it can be detected. The pipe is tested for leaks before the ditch is filled and tamped.

The crew will also blacktop the street surfaces which are disturbed and return them to their original state. The crew started on West Fourth Avenue, near the golf course and is proceeding east on Fourth at the present time. The schedule calls for completion of the town system in 20 days, and it is expected that the gas will be in use by September 1.

The crew laying the 4-inch steel mainline now is covering a mile a day, according to Dave Wacker, Odessa WWP representative.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 13, 1913

A hundred tents erected by campers 10 days in advance of the opening of the pioneer picnic indications are that the eleventh annual meeting of the Lincoln and Adams County Pioneer and Historical association, June 17, 18 and 19, will eclipse any previous meeting in point of attendance. C.E. Ivy, secretary of the association, estimates that the attendance this year will be more than 5000, an increase of 1000, and that the majority of those will be present at the entire meeting, which will be on the association grounds on Crab creek, 10 miles south of Harrington.

Arrangements are well underway for Odessa’s big celebration on July 4th and 5th. The committees appointed a week ago are planning a great carnival of fun for the two days.

The program will include an automobile parade, horse races, followed by a ball game. The second day, will offer foot sports and other amusements, including dancing, in the town each evening. A band will be furnished for music during the two days and a liberal list of purses and prizes are to be offered for the various events.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 16, 1938

Saturday will see the annual gathering of the Odessa high school alumni at a banquet, class reunions and dance. Tickets have already been sold to 150 former students.

Lewis Frederick won the big fish contest sponsored by the Odessa Drug company, receiving a new fish pole as a prize. His entry was a rainbow trout from Twin lakes, weighing six pounds 9½ ounces.

Other entries were: Elmer Hauck, rainbow, 5 pounds 15 ounces; William Frederick, 3 pounds 2 ounces and Gottlieb Giese, 2 pounds 14 ounces.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 20, 1963

Temperatures climbed to a high of 99 on Sunday for the hottest day of the year to date. Six of the past seven days had temperatures in the upper 90s.

The rural fire department is preparing for an increased fire hazard this summer, as the annual weed growth, principally cheat, has become acute in winter wheat.

Wheat has been making good growth. Much of it has gotten above the cheatgrass.

Marine Private Leslie J. Widmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Widmer of Odessa, completed a week of testing and screening May 17, at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Memphis Tenn.

A graduate of the Odessa high school, Widmer entered the Marines in October 1962.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 16, 1988

Gathering in Odessa to the town park last weekend for a fund raising rally to benefit the Special Olympics, the Gold Wing Road Rider’s Association took plenty of time to relax and enjoy the park, the Oom Pas & Mas and the friendly greetings from residents of the community who inspected their cycles and watched their Parade of Wings.

“I want to emphasize that we encourage farmers and ranchers to comply fully with law regarding immigration and legalization,” a concerned Robert Jones said after it was revealed incomplete information was being given to ag businessmen about immigration legalization and Form I-9 requirements.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

June 5, 2003

As of Tuesday afternoon, 57 Odessa High School alumni had made reservations to attend the 67th annual banquet and reunion of the Odessa Alumni Association on Saturday, Jun 21, at the Odessa Community Center.

Five years of fulfillment is how retiring Superintendent of Odessa School District #105 Warren Reeves describes his tenure here. Reeves will be retiring from a long career in education on June 30.

He originally tendered his resignation from his Odessa position in March 2002, preceding back surgery, stating it was apparent that he did not have the physical strength to continue in his position.

There are 25 seniors graduating from Odessa High School this June.

They are: high honor roll students Anna Heninger, Britney Praetorius, Chris Scrupps and Rhianna Coleman; honor students Beth Harp, Clint Knight, Jason Costlow, Joe Gies, Tony Weber and Sheena Luiten; Josh Cook, Jennifer Goetz, Bradly Iksic, Theresa Johnson, Ben Kniola, Nancy McClure, Nichole Roller, Lacy Walter, Miranda Finkbeiner, Leslie Horak, Sarah Johnson, Heidi Kiesz, Eric Lesser, Daniel Quilici and Derek Schmidt.