This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 3, 1914

"Odessa was starting its immense Fourth of July celebration. With the most favorable crop since 1907, spirits are high. Concession booths of every kind grace the four parts of every corner along main street and those who could not find a corner have stands at every available vacant space.

“The Odessa creamery turned out its first butter on Tuesday. The plant has been busy making ice cream for the celebration.

“It has been seven years since the crop prospects were as good as they are now. In 1907 this section produced one of the largest crops in the history of the country, and it looks like the 1914 crop will equal it. Harvest will be on in 10 days and the harvest hands are loafing around town waiting for it to start."

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 6, 1939

With no local celebration planned, Fourth of July activities for Odessa people included a "thrilling" game of baseball in Wilson Creek between Marlin and Ruff, a rodeo in Hunters and related activities in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. Two Odessa businesses, however, sustained damage from exploding fireworks; the Odessa Drug and the Odessa Meat company.

The Odessa swimming pool opened Saturday, July 1, for the summer season. A ten day course of swimming and lifesaving at the city pool will start July 24.

The Odessa Trading company purchased the grain business of Lenhart & Company at Moody, on the Milwaukee railway.

Mrs. Harold Gies was honored at a shower on the evening of June 30 at the Henry Gies home. About 40 guests attended and many beautiful gifts were presented.

"The July weather has been warm during the day, chilly enough at night that a fire is welcome during the morning hours."

50 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 9, 1964

An unexpectedly large number of flags were displayed in downtown Odessa through the week of July 4. "Naturally, for Odessa lately, there were thefts of flags. It is reported that two disappeared over the holiday, apparently taken by some patriotic persons. As one business man put it, ‘What's this town coming to?’ Thefts of flowers at the cemetery and now the theft of flags from the downtown display, cause others to wonder."

Tuesday was the hottest day of the year at 101 degrees, hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalks. Three Odessa girls tested this. Irene Ramm, Judy Burghard, and Ruby Haugen, playing at the Finney field tennis courts, sat down on the tennis floor, arose quickly and decided that it was hot enough to fry an egg. They proved their theory by breaking an egg onto waxed paper that was placed on the surface, and after about an hour of exposure, it took on a fried look. The girls brought their proof to town to show the publisher.

Some 50 Lincoln County 4-H members, leaders and chaperones had a real camping experience. They camped out in true tent style at Camp Na-Bor-Lee on the shores of Lake Roosevelt. These 4-H'ers maintained and practiced the slogan that here in this area the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are practically unlimited. They learned to keep natural recreational spots for present and future generations to enjoy.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 6,1989

The quantities of both wheat and barley stored in Washington were at their lowest levels for June 1 since 1981. Overall, the total number of bushels in storage was down 27 percent from a year earlier.

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced the sign up period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for the year. The CRP allows a farmer up to $50,000 annually based on the per-acre bid and the number of acres under the 10-year contract. About 90,000 acres in Lincoln County are presently in the CRP, yielding about $4.5 million duing 1989. The CRP is designed to help farmers pevent or control critical soil erosion and help adjust the production of surplus agricultural commodities.

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 8, 2004

The only activity to be found in Odessa on July 4 was the fourth annual Odessa Volunteer fire Department’s barbecue at Reiman Park.

Travis Iksic competed in the Washington State Trapshooting Championships at Walla Walla and returned with several top awards. During the four-day competition he shot several perfect scores of 100, won the eagle statue in the junior high overall trophy (700 targets) and the owl statue in the high all-around trophy (400 championship targets). Iksic qualified to enter the Champion of Champions event at the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships in Vandalia, Ohio, August 14-22.

Thirty-three bicyclists riding across America on a fund raiser to raise awareness for lung health, spent Wednesday night in Odessa. They set up camp on the lawn at Odessa High School. The high school gymnasium was made available for those who wished to shower. The trip included 40 days of riding and eight days of rest. They will be camping most of the way, staying in college dorms.