This Week in Odessa History

Frank and Leo Guth were among Odessa’s first business operators.

Just as the town was incorporated in 1902, several new businesses opened to make Odessa a full service center. Among them were the flour mill, built and operated by Portland Flouring Mills; the Odessa mercantile, later to become the long-running Michaelsen & Koth general store, and the Odessa Hardware & Implement Company, founded by the Guths.

Some of Odessa’s pioneer wheat growers were major stockholders in the Guth’s firms, which sold shelf hardware, farm implements, wagons, buggies and later automobiles.

Frank Guth sold his interest in the firm 88 years ago this week. It was the beginning of the end for the early day business, which by 1928 was out of business, the victim of changing times and merchandising methods and stiff competition from new implement dealers and farm suppliers in Odessa.

A front-page account of the ownership change appearing in the 1952 issue of The Odessa outlines the early history of the store:

The largest business deal that has taken place in the town of Odessa in years was completed Monday when F.J. Guth, the senior member of the Odessa Hardware & Implement Company, sold his interest in the firm to his two partners, L.A. Guth and E.J. Wachter, who now each own equal interest.

The retiring partner, who has always been considered one of Odessa’s best business men, is a pioneer of this area. He came here more than 25 years ago and entered the implement business with L. Zimmer, when the building they now occupy was considered out of town. Soon after, with Fieldon Logsdon they bought the Odessa Hardware Company. After combining the two they erected what at the time was credited with being the best small town hardware building in eastern Washington.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 10, 1913

Jos. Nechanicky is one of the progressive farmers of the Odessa country who has found that there is more money in hogs and alfalfa than there is in grain farming, and that he gets more for his wheat when he feeds it to his hogs than when he sells the grain. “It is a great thing and will work wonders in this country within the next few years. The farmers are taking more of interest in the diversification of crops each year, and the time has now come when we will begin to see a gradual change in farming methods in the Big Bend,” Nechanicky said.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 13,1938

State hunters took 555 coyotes, 18 bobcats and two predatory bears, a total of 575 animals and an average of 33 animals for each man during the month of September.

Fire Prevention week, now being observed throughout the United States, as the stimulus for action at the commercial club when it was decided to secure a projection machine and motion picture films dealing with fire losses, as a free show for the Odessa public.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 10,1963

Odessa people turned out in numbers for the grand opening at the Fode Market. Various business firms and individuals had sent flowers and door prizes were given out.

The annual Lions Club Turkey Carnival date has been set for the Saturday ahead of Thanksgiving.

The Dale Carnegie course is coming to Odessa under sponsorship of the Odessa Lions Club.

“We believe that the Lions Club sponsorship of this adult education program is a genuine community service,” says Dr. K en Gudgel, president. “Business men, professional men, sales people, housewives, club women, office personnel - every adult will benefit from this training. It will build a new enthusiasm, develop self-confidence, create a new understanding among the citizens of our town.”

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 9, 2003

Meg Selbach-Allen was recently selected to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law in Washington D.C.

Having demonstrated academic achievement and an interest in law and justice, Meg will join more than 350 outstanding high school juniors and seniors from across the United States at the Forum on Law.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

October 6, 1988

Incumbent Lincoln County commissioner Loren Moos and challenger Darel Boleneus will face the voting public - and each other - in a forum at the Davenport Memorial Hall.

“There are some critical issues facing county government like roads, taxes, and the future of cooperative extension,” county Farm Bureau president Garry Rosman said.

“As farm organizations, we felt it was important to get these candidates together so people could ask questions so they can make an intelligent choice,” Rosman said.