This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 13, 1915

The commissioners of Adams County have just closed a deal for the purchase of a half section of land about a mile and a half north of Lind for the sum of $5,500, which is to be used as an experimental station and operated under the direct supervision of representatives of the agricultural department of the state college. Mr. McCall, representative of the agricultural department, is in charge of the farm. It is understood the expense of operating will be paid by the state college. No extensive scientific experiment has been made in that particular locality, and it is hoped by the present plan to work out some profitable ideas which will benefit the community at large.

Eagles’ float makes splendid showing at Spokane. On Tuesday of this week word came to the local Eagles’ lodge, through John F. Shimek, that the Odessa float had been awarded another prize for the showing it made in the night parade of last Thursday. This prize was in addition to that of $50 given the Odessa Aerie that same morning for second place in the big parade in which it was entered in competition with floats from all of the state. In capturing the two prizes the local lodge and Odessa citizens can take particular pride in the showing which Odessa made to the big Spokane crowd, as well as the splendid advertising features it afforded.

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 15, 1940

The fall festival was the main theme of business at the reopening of the commercial club meetings, held at the Brooks cafe. H.H. Strate, in charge of the festival committee, outlined different attractions planned for the day, including the horseshoe contests, boxing matches, pie eating, greased pig chase, coin hunt for children, nail driving, tug of war and other celebration contests.

It was decided that merchants and guests would mingle together on the day, all stores closing at noon, remaining open during the morning hours as a courtesy to those wanting purchases.

Predatory kill in year was success. Another year has passed in the predatory animal killing work, during which the state and federal government used 14 men for a period of 10 months, taking one cougar, 84 bobcats and 3443 coyotes. Not counted were 154 unborn coyotes, one bobcat and 75 coyotes stolen from traps. Losses from predators were greatly reduced. The service put out 93,200 pounds of poisoned bait for squirrels, field mice, pocket gophers, jackrabbits and rats. The field laboratory found a number of sylvatic plague cases among ground squirrels in the district between Ritzville and Cheney.

50 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 12, 1965

Odessa’s first postmaster change since the start of the Roosevelt administration was completed this week with the retirement of Harold F. Ottestad and the naming of Harvey Iltz, clerk, to the post of acting postmaster. Iltz, born here and who attended the local schools, went to work at the post office in the fall of 1953 on his return from army duty. In 1955 he married Miss Dorothy Kremsreiter of Odessa.

Working with Iltz in the Odessa post office are Melvin Schauerman and Helen Turner, clerks; Frank E. Wraspir and Blaine K. Turner, route carriers; George Iltz, mail messenger, and Ann Kuest, maintenance.

Odessa schools lead in enrollment. The report of the county superintendent of schools, Earl Anglemyer, reveals that during the past year Odessa again led the county schools in total enrollment, and at the same time had the lowest per-pupil cost. Odessa supplies 516 out of the total 2595 students in county schools. Other county schools in order of enrollment include: Davenport 478, Reardan 413, Wilbur 356, Harrington 273, Creston 169, Sprague 162, Almira 157, Edwall 71.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 16, 1990

Bill Jesset was named grand marshal of the Deutschesfest parade.

The Odessa Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, founded in 1950, originated in response to anticipated needs for the hospital, then under construction ≠– and early articles made and donated to the fledgling institution in the first years included sheets, towels, diapers, wrappers, boots, gowns, dresser scarves and bed pan covers. Five still active charter members in 1990 were Helen Schimke, Jean Napier, Ida Mills, Florence Stout and Dorothy Gies.

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 11, 2005

Britney Praetorius, Carmen Weishaar, April Strebeck, Lindsy Starkel, Kim Ramm, Cory Carstensen, Deanna Lobe, Terri King, Peggy DeWulf, Suzie Deife, HaLee Walter and Deb Praetorius kicked off the food preparation for Deutschesfest by making the famous homemade pickles at the Community Center.

“Napa Joe” Price moved his auto parts store to larger quarters on Division Street from its First Avenue location.

The Highway 21 realignment project was nearing completion.