This Week in Odessa History

An air show was the highlight of the dedication of Odessa’s new airport 62 years ago.

The runway had been extended by an additional 1,000 feet, a large parking area had been put in beside the runway and a four-airplane hangar had been built. Application had been made for landing lights at the field, and a new windsock had been acquired.

The Rev. R.H. Satterfield, president of the Odessa Flying Club, was in charge of the dedication program, presiding over the air show and delivering the address during the airport dedication. In this, he reviewed the possible future use of the field with the vastly expanding aircraft programs that were then foreseen.

The Odessa Record reported:

Tribute was paid to the almost single-handed work done during the past two years by Harold Suchland as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce aviation committee in bringing the field forward until the Flying Club took over.

During the air show, aerial bombing was enjoyed. The amateur flyers attempted to bomb the circle on the runway from a height of 1,000 feet, using small bags of flour.

There were a number of other demonstrations during the show, including a paradrop of an emergency survival kit by planes of the CAB. A disappointment was the absence of a flyby by jet fighters from Larson Air Force Base, which were scheduled to appear but at the last minute were prevented from doing so by new restrictions which had gone into effect.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 17, 1913

Tom Weber brought into the Record office this week a bunch of four carrots, which were taken from a field on his farm. The carrots were raised bone dry land, and the four weigh a total of twelve pounds. Mr. Weber raised several acres of them this year and is harvesting them at the rate of 200 sacks to the acre.

Attorney James Finlay received official notification from Davenport this week, advising him that the board of county commissioners had appointed him Justice of the Peace in the Odessa precinct.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 20,1938

Thermometers obliged duck hunters during the week end, with freezing temperatures during four of the nights. The lowest point was reached on Sunday night, when the reading stood at 23 degrees.

Hunting, while reported good in most areas, is handicapped this year by the number of posted ranches where large signs prohibit trespassing. Farmers who ordinarily welcome hunters, have found it necessary to close their places, owing to the actions of hunters in former years.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 17,1963

Newspapers have long been regarded as sovereign influences in their communities, even to the extent that a town without a newspaper withers on the vine.

This is true in thousands of small “hometown” cities throughout the county supported in numerous ways by the weekly and small daily press.

There are some 9000 such papers catering to some 99 million citizens over half the country’s population. These citizens have an annual income well over $157 billion, or 47 percent of the total national income, and account for more than 40 percent of the country’s total retail sales.

Home town newspapers influence much of this retail spending.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 13, 1988

John Poling of the Grant County Community Action Council reviewed preliminary results of the retirement survey with its sponsoring group, the Odessa Economic Development Committee.

Poling told the committee his next step is to study a town similar to Odessa, one that attracted retirees about 10 years ago. From that study, he will predict for the committee the effects on the community pursuing development of Odessa as a retirement center.

A view of the south exposure of the new Odessa high school building shows a near-complete exterior with brickwork and roofing in place. Considerable trim and finish is yet to be done. Meanwhile, the entrance at the northwest corner of the new structure is beginning to take shape as well. Coupling of the P.C. Jantz building and the new high school is complete and interior changes nearly finished.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 16, 2003

Since May, Odessa has been fortunate to see one new business open its doors and one existing business expand.

Crab Creek Coffee Haus opened its doors for business on August 21.

Since the day the new restaurant and coffee shop opened “business has been better than what we hoped for” said Scotty Bacon.

Crab Creek Coffee Haus is owned and operated by Ray and Scotty Bacon.

Quilting, a hobby for Lois Fisher, has turned into an expanding business.

The Quilt Crossing has been in operation for 11 years. It started in the mini-mall at Record Square and moved to its present location 10 years ago.

This past summer, with the vacancy of one of the tenants in the building, Lois expanded her shop about 400 square feet.

Lois Fisher is the sole proprietor of the Quilt Crossing and has six employees and two other quilters who can fill in when needed.