This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From The Odessa Record

January 28, 1915

According to pioneers the snow which is now covering the ground has been on for a longer time than it usually remains in this country. The first of the snow came on Dec. 10 and has been added to from time to time.

Henry Frick, Jr. and Jacob Frick have purchased 160 acres in the northwest corner of Adams county from Arthur G. Davis. They also contracted to purchase from Mr. Davis another 80 acres adjacent to this land.

The ladies of the needlework club and their husbands were entertained at cards at the Geo. M. Sletto home last night, Mrs. Sletto and Mrs. H.W. Brune being hostesses.

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record

January 25, 1940

The new Odessa library, sponsored by the Readers’ Club, will open at the city hall February 3. The club has gathered nearly 200 books, with others ordered. Mayor Jantz appointed the library board this week, including Mrs. L.C. Weik, Mrs. George Schiewe, Mrs. L.J. Bonney, Mrs. C.C. Heimbigner and Mrs. L.O. Williams.

Farmers have been busy thawing out wells during the cold spell of last week. Some report finding best results by wrapping an inner tube around the well pipes, setting this afire.

Mike Stolp, Sprague, started a wood fire in his well Saturday to thaw it out, the flames spreading to the well casing and curbing. The Sprague fire department reported and spent several hours putting out the smouldering fire, to save a building nearby.

50 years ago

From The Odessa Record

January 28, 1965

The Washington State Grange Master, A. Lars Nelson, addressed the Odessa Grange on their thirty-fifth anniversary. He explained the grange stand on national legislation concerning marketing controls on wheat and other commodities.

Guests in attendance came from Seattle, Spokane, Tyler, Waukon, Wilbur, Almira, Grand Coulee, Mondovi and Odessa.

A blizzard that raged all day did not stop the Odessa people from attending the annual chamber of Commerce banquet. The speaker, publicity director for the Washington Water Power company, braved the roads to keep his speaking engagement.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

January 25, 1990

The Wheatland Bank and Washington Mutual Savings Bank have jointly announced receipt of approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to conclude a pending transaction which would transfer Washington Mutual’s Ritzville branch to The Wheatland.

Kerri Watters, Washington’s Young Woman of the Year candiddate from Odessa, has joined 42 other high school senior girls from around the state in Pullman. The week-long program culminates in Saturday evening’s selection of Washington’s Young Woman of the Year.

The red lentil, developed specifically for low rainfall areas, has been introduced here. Crimson, the new variety, is the outcome of a four-year effort to identify an annual legume crop adapted to the 13 to 17 inch precipitation region of eastern Washington.

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

January 27,2005

There have been signs of activity in the preparation for the realignment of Highway 21 in the past few days.

Last Friday, Washington State Department of Transportation crews were inspecting direction signs, which will be removed from the intersection of First Avenue and Fourth Street and replaced by new signs a block west on First at Alder Street, the new highway route.

On Tuesday, BNSF surveyors were taking stock of the main line track where the Alder Street crossing will be installed.

Members of the Odessa School Board elected Steven Powell to serve as a board chairman for the coming year.