This Week in Odessa History

Fifty-three years ago, excavation work at the Titan missile launching site at Batum, 16 miles southwest of Odessa, was underway, and members of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and other area residents were given a tour of the facility.

The Chamber was assisting the U.S. Air Force and contractors for the base’s construction in placing workers on the job and in finding housing for them in Odessa as well as in vacant farm homes in the area.

Employment during early phases of construction was about 200. This went up to 1,300 the following year, as launching equipment was installed. Of course, not al...