Looking Back

100 years ago

Fire of unknown origin destroyed the Rocklyn store and the residence of Mrs. Jennie O'Bell. Firefighters were able to save the neighboring residence of Postmaster Boyk. The glare of the fire could be seen from Davenport.

A Washington Water Power line construction crew has set up camp about six miles south of Davenport the crew currently numbers 15 but will soon number 40. They are constructing a power line to Ephrata.

Several Odessa men traveled to Spokane to see New York Yankee's home run hitter Babe Ruth. Ruth and Yankee teammate Bob Meusel played in an exhibition game against Spokane's All-Star team. The game was played at Twickenham Park.

75 years ago

A man from Wallula was found dead in his hotel room in Odessa. Hotel employees summoned law enforcement to check on Mr. William Peyton after it was noticed he had not left his room all day. Peyton was a self employed traveling salesman who was selling items of his own manufacture.

Lincoln Electric will have an open house for the community to view their new $60,000 headquarters. The new building is T shaped, 76 feet wide and 90 feet deep. Refreshments will be served by 4-H girls under the supervision of Miss Barbara Carstens.

The Davenport Active Club asked the City for its cooperation and assistance in their house numbering campaign. The club aims to have every building in the city numbered. The city already has an ordinance on the books which prescribes the numbering procedure and promised to help.

50 years ago

Davenport's new chief of police will start soon. Tom Edwards is currently employed by Washington State University as a campus security officer. Edwards and his family were in Davenport recently looking for a home and checking out the school.

Grange Supply of Odessa has purchased the former ARCO plant from Al Hardt. The present grange plant will be dismantled in the near future. The purchase and dismantling of the current facility is due to the expense of bringing the current facility up to WISHA and EPA codes.

Becky Holderby, Chris Nonnemacher, Connie Schulz and Janet Hudkins competed for the title of Lincoln County Wheat Queen at the recent United Grain Growers dinner. Janet Hudkins of Reardan won the title and will go on to represent Lincoln County.

25 years ago

Davenport has 3 contests for public office coming this fall. Incumbent May Ed Hendrickson is being challenged by former city councilman Chuck Johnston, Incumbent councilman Becky Buck is being challenged by planning commission chair Carl Malcolm and Incumbent Councilman Morlan Hutchens is being challenged by former council member John Cannon.

The Small Business Improvement Council is hosting an informational seminar for small business owners to find out about what programs are available to them and share the needs and concerns of small businesses in Washington.

Homecoming in Odessa was full of events this year. The Tiger Volleyball team got wins against the Lind Bulldogs and Sprague-Harrington Falcons. The Tiger football team hosted the Cusick Panthers and fell just short of a win. Dress up days included 70's day and Animal day.

10 years ago

The Lincoln County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved construction of 4 new cell towers in the county in an effort to improve cell service which is spotty at best in the county.

As a result of the 2014 Farm Bill there are new programs available to farmers to help manage risks. The bill contains some of the largest farm policy reforms in decades and they are based on market forces and include county and individual coverage options.

Mobius Science Center and the Odessa School district have partnered to present Family Science night. The night will be a fun filled evening featuring selections from each of Mobius' exciting shows.