This Week in Odessa History

A colorful parade, featuring of all things, automobiles, highlighted Odessa’s Fourth of July celebration in 1908.

The new town had observed Independence Day in the previous years of its short history, but this occasion, The Odessa Record reported in its issue of July 10, 1908, was the best ever:

Never in Odessa’s history has our little city had the privilege of entertaining a larger or better natured crowd than assembled here last Saturday to join in celebrating our national anniversary.

It is conservatively estimated that there were 2,500 visitors here that day, and each and every one of them enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent. The attractions which had been provided for their amusement followed one another in quick succession, and it was by far the most successful celebration that Odessa has ever had.

The parade, the first even of the day, was set in motion at 10 a.m. and was led by the marshals of the day, with the band next in line. Then came an automobile, containing the mayor, speaker of the day, and other citizens, followed by a beautifully decorated liberty car carrying the Goddess of Liberty, Mrs. Henry Theil, and little girls dressed in white, representing the different states.

L.G. Nuelsen, the Odessa Hardware Company, Odessa Mercantile and Dobson Brothers had some nice floats, and the Holt Manufacturing Company followed with a combined harvester in full motion, prodded by a steam engine. Last came a mammoth tractor engine entered by the Kreigler-page Mercantile Company.

The parade, after covering the principal streets, came to a halt at the opera house, where a rousing patriotic address was delivered by Judge Miles Poindexter of Spokane. He is a forceful speaker, and his address was one of the best that has ever been heard in Odessa.

Immediately after dinner, the crowd, headed by the band, hied themselves out to the new driving park just east of town, where the horse races were to take place. The free-for-all running race, with a $100 purse, was won by Hattie Dodson, owned by I.N. Womach.

A grand display of fireworks illuminated the sky in the evening. Two hundred thirty-five numbers were sold for the big dance in the evening at the opera house, and dancers enjoyed themselves until early morning.

It was one of the most orderly crowds Odessa has ever seen, and not an arrest was made during the day, nor were there any drunks in evidence. A large number of visitors remained overnight and at 5 o’clock the next morning, First Avenue was still lined with people, many of whom had remained up all night, either from inability to secure a bed or through choice.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 4, 1913

The dedication of the newly erected Lutheran church of Odessa will be held on Sunday, July 13 at 10 o’clock. Morning services by Rev. Grouschupf of Spokane.

Not in the history of recent years have prospects been so propitious in the Odessa country as they are this year. Nature has favored us with the unusual supply of moisture at this season when it was most needed and will do most good, followed by the fine cool weather of the past two weeks, there is now assured the largest harvest ever known here. Within ten days the harvest will be on and phenomenal yields are expected from every part of the country hereabouts.

Harvest hands have already begun to come into town and machines are being put into shape to go into the fields. W.N. Schoonover reports the grain to be filling and ripening quite rapidly and he brought samples into The Record office to prove his statements. The stools which were brought in have as many as 75 stalks in some instances and the heads are large and full. If these are only a fair average an enormous crop will surely result.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 7, 1938

Rainfall totaling .64 inches was registered at the government station here on Friday night. Hail accompanied the rain. Little serious damage was reported.

The seasons rainfall since September 1 has grown to 12.40 inches, a record for recent years.

What may be one of the region’s longest harvests got under way in several areas immediately after the holiday. The Ruff area started first, with Joe and Leonard Jantz starting. The Leonard Jantz place is producing an average yield of 25 bushels per acre, with a weight test of 62 pounds.

Reported yield from the Joe Jantz ranch is from 20 to 25 bushels per acre, with a test of 61 pounds. Andrew Jantz of the Ritzville area was in town Wednesday, making final arrangement for entering his field on Thursday morning.

Within the next week practically every grower of winter wheat will be in the field.

Births outnumbered deaths during the first six months of the year by a full score, it was revealed in the report of vital statistics.

There were 24 births in Odessa during the period, 14 males and 10 females.

Deaths included three females and one male.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 11,1963

On Sunday night the skies were brilliant with lightning, accompanied by a heavy rain.

Lightning-caused fires were reported in pasture land on the Clarence Rosenberg and Walt Fiess ranches near Wilson Creek.

Brilliant as a Fourth of July fireworks display, the storm hung over Odessa during the early part of the night.

The fascinating sight of a solar eclipse can be expected in the Inland Empire on July 20, 1963. The eclipse, in this area, will start at approximately 4:45 p.m. and will last for about 75 minutes. About seventy-five percent of the sun’s surface will be covered.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 7, 1988

Trusswork for roofing of new classrooms abutting the white roof of the science and advanced education portions of the P.C. Jantz building forms a geometric symmetry.

Odessa’s municipal swimming pool will join with more than a hundred others throughout the state to sponsore Swim for Heart, an event designed to teach the health benefits of swimming while raising money for the American Heart Association.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

July 3, 2003

A new officer will join the Odessa Police Department bringing to three the number of the force when it again becomes full-strength on July 20.

Mayor Carl Ryan announced at the meeting of the Odessa Town Council that John Pierre, who has been with the Oroville Police department has accepted the officers position on the OPD.

Hometown observances of Independence Day will give reason for many residents to celebrate locally tomorrow, July 4, avoiding heavy holiday traffic and crowded beaches and camping areas.

The Odessa Fire Department will sponsor its annual barbecue at the north picnic shelter in Reiman park.

When darkness falls, residents are invited to take their fireworks to Finney Field to put on their own pyrotechnic displays.

Colorful tents dotted the lawns of the Odessa school campus last Wednesday night at 29 cyclists taking part in the Big Ride Across American bedded down for a good night’s sleep. They had peddled from Vantage on the third lap of their 48-day ride from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to raise an awareness of lung health.