This Week in Odessa Histor

100 years ago

May 21, 1920

Five young men and women graduated from Odessa High School: Helen Michaelsen, Martha Glass, Ruth Horn, William Huber and Carter Patton. Commencement exercises were held at the English Congregational Church, with school superintendent E.R. Jinnett presenting the diplomas.

Owing to heavy drains on the water in Crab creek for irrigation purposes, the water that has been slowly flowing through town for some time past, stopped yesterday, probably not to flow again this season. This a month or two earlier than usual owing to several dry seasons which have about exhausted the supply of surface water in this section.

75 years ago

May 17, 1945

Mrs. Fred Kramer reported the theft of 10 of their best laying hens from their town home on Friday night.

The Odessa High School alumni association elected officers for the coming year: Herbert Sackman, president; Arthur Jeske, vice president; Florence Flemmer, secretary-treasurer. Named to the advisory board were Rose Michaelsen, Howard Iltz, Ednes Porter, Vera Zagelow and William Schillinger.

The Odessa airport opened Sunday and 23 planes landed there to spend the day. W.L. Fisher of Harrington, and his brother Robert as passenger, stunted for the large crowd that gathered to watch the planes come in.

50 years ago

May 21, 1970

The class of 1970, consisting of 38 members, are scheduled to graduate May 24.

Three record-breaking Tigers will head to the district meet at Eastern Washington State College. Junior Ric Thompson broke the Bi-County record in the javelin and will be a contender for a state berth. Freshman Keith Cronrath also broke a Bi-County record in the two-mile race, finishing 24 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Fellow freshman Wade Walter also broke the triple-jump record and all three of his jumps were two feet longer than his previous bests.

The Tiger tennis team coached by Richard Green shared the Bi-County championship with Harrington. Tom Renner and Vickey Thompson took first in mixed doubles, while undefeated Karen Nichol and Nancy Schauerman took the top spot in girls doubles.

25 years ago

May 18, 1995

Odessa Memorial Hospital began construction of a storage building adjacent to the south side of the hospital. The 32 x 24-foot building was expected to be finished by the end of the month.

A public hearing was scheduled for May 30 in the community center to allow citizens to learn more about the proposed sewer system for Odessa.

— Compiled by Terrie Schmidt-Crosby