This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

Jan. 21, 1921

All arrangements have now been completed for the Odessa Fire Department boys’ dance, which will be held at the Community Hall next Friday night. For a number of years the annual firemen’s dance was considered the social event of the season, and the fire lads are determined this dance shall be no exception to the rule. They have engaged the OCB orchestra to furnish music for the occasion and request the dancing public to come early and stay late and have one of the best times of their lives.

The card party given by the Catholic ladies Wednesday is reported a most enjoyable affair, there being enough card players present to fill 13 tables. Progressive pinochle was the diversion of the evening and at the close of the session it was found that W.H. Boyce was entitled to a fine cake awarded as first prize. Paul T. Bockmier won the consolation honors. Receipts of the evening netted the ladies $39.

75 years ago

Jan. 17, 1946

During the past week, three residences have been sold in Odessa. The Zier estate sold its town residence property to David Birge, who in turn sold his home to Clarence Hardt. Carl Dammel of Lind, who is coming here to take over the Wilskie Standard Oil agency, is reported to have bought the Quast house from J.C. Schorzman, who purchased it last week. When the Birge family moves, it will result in a string of moves. The home from which the Hardt family moves will be taken by its owner Emmanuel Schmierer, and the present Schmierer house by Melvin Raugust, who purchased it some time ago.

The Rev. and Mrs. E. Eslinger, who are to have charge of the United Congregational Church arrived on Wednesday. The Eslingers have three children, two of whom are in school.

50 years ago

Jan. 21, 1971.

Eastern Wash. became a sea of water and mud Saturday as heavy rain covered the area after temperatures had moderated. Rain cut the remaining snow cover, causing excessive runoff, which filled drainage structures to capacity or overflowing. In spite of the moderated temperatures and rainfall, under the layer of muck 14 inches of frost was still being measured as of Monday, said Harry Riehle of the soild conservation office. County roads were mushy. Culverts were plugged with the rapid runoff causing temporary water flows onto and across roads.

JoEllen Schafer was installed as the Rainbow Worthy Advisor. Lora Richardson won the American Legion-sponsored oratorical contest held in the Odessa High School auditorium.

The Odessa Lions PeeWee basketball teams won four first places in the tournament held here Saturday. Odessa 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade teams were the winners. Don Schuh was the tournament manager. Referees were Marvin Greenwalt, J.P. Luiten, Myron Kramer, Don Llewellyn, Lou Iksic and Jerry Weber.

25 years ago

Jan. 18, 1996

The Odessa Chamber was contemplating holding a sausage contest for the Spring Fling event of April 27. Chamber member John Stein proposed the idea, saying, “There are more people who make sausage in this area than you would suppose.” Stein was appointed to assemble a committee to investigate the feasibility of having the contest.

Restoration of the burned-out Lincoln County Courthouse in Davenport is expected to be completed by the end of 1996 at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. The building was gutted by an arson fire in December.