This week in Odessa history

Ten tied for first prize in 1920 census contest

The Odessa Record announced there were 10 winners in a contest sponsored by the Farmers & Merchants Bank to guess Odessa’s population as counted in the official U.S. census of that year.

Ninety-three years ago, Odessa was about the same size it is today, with about 1,000 people. The bank announced the contest at the beginning of the year and there were many entries.

The winning number was 1,050 and 10 citizens had submitted that figure.

Official returns of the 1920 census received Saturday, credits Odessa with a population of 1,050 people, an inc...