This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From The Odessa Record

April 15, 1915

Geo. M. Sletto, the jeweler, has on exhibit in his store window the trophy cups which are to be awarded to the winners in the Lincoln County High School Tennis tournament which is to be held here.

A mass meeting of the citizens of Odessa, Wilson Creek and Krupp is to be held at Krupp next Monday afternoon, April 19, for the purpose of lining up on the road situation and devising ways and means to place the new state road in condition for through travel. A large number of the good roads enthusiasts from here are planning to attend.

Rev. Karl Philipp left yesterday morning for an extensive visit to the missions in Grant county. He expects to return home next week.

Miss Lillian Selde, who has been teaching in the Heimbigner school district, left last week for her home in Davenport after closing a successful term of school.

Gustave Schlimmer was awarded first place and Mabel Snider second plaace in the essay contest on the subject of the hundred years of peace between England and the United States which has recently been conducted among the members of the high school senior class. The winner will receive a handsome medal from the Independent magazine which is conducting the contest in high schools all over the country.

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record

April 18, 1940

An entire week has gone by without rainfall, leaving the season’s total the same as last week, with 10.41 inches since September 1. Warm weather is bringing out the squirrels to a greater extent, hunters report. Early season indications appeared to reveal squirrels were scarce.

W.L. Malone, Spokane engineer, spent time in Odessa, going over the playgrounds with the school board, preparatory to starting work. When plans are completed the work of pipe laying will be undertaken with day labor, after which the turf will be seeded. Work will start then on the grandstand and fences.

It’s rattlesnake season and the early spring take of snakes is getting away to a good start. John Napier, working along the bluffs at his cattle ranch, killed six on Friday and about 25 on Saturday.

Julius Winter and Henry Bastrom, on a snake hunt on Sunday, killed approximately 100, starting from the snake den north of town and working down west to the Sol Walter pasture.

A group of young men went to the Indian Rock snake pit north of town on Wednesday and killed 10 snakes in a few moments, using pitch forks to alarm the snakes so they could find them.

50 years ago

From The Odessa Record

April 15, 1965

One dead cow and a badly damaged car resulted from a collision of the two objects five-and-a-half miles east of Odessa. Lyle Raugust’s 1959 T-Bird was about a total loss, Deputy Sheriff Alvin Iltz reported, as a result of the accident. Raugust was not injured. The cow was killed outright when hit on the road by the passing Raugust vehicle.

Bids were set to open among 13 contractors for a proposed addition to the local nursing home. Bids are being called for a 10-bed 5500 square foot addition to be located on the west and south of the present structure. All funds for the improvement project are scheduled to come from the bequest of the late Superior Court Judge and former local attorney, William Nevins.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

April 19, 1990

Odessa Chamber of Commerce Earth Day Chair Mildred Deife, has announced the activities to take place during the cleanup campaign this weekend. The city’s old dump will be open to residents dumping garden refuse free of charge because the burn ban is in effect. There will be a charge for dumping washers, refrigerators and the like. Walter Implement will haul away old cars upon request of the owner, but the owner must pay the dumping charge.

Crab Creek Trail work crew volunteers have been asked to pick up garbage bags.

Earth Rally ‘90 is coordinated by the state Department of Ecology

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

April 14, 2005

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce is investigating varieties of trees that might be compatible with Odessa’s climate and suitable for planting on downtown streets. The new trees will replace the dead and dying flowering Kwansan cherry trees on First Avenue.

The Miss Odessa royalty and their families, friends and community members have begun working on the community float with the theme “Enchanted Garden.” Miss Odessa Royalty are Alesia Best, Sara Fink, Andrea Kuch and Andrea Largent.