By Terrie Schmidt-Crosby
The Record 

This Week in Odessa History

Week of Dec. 24

 

Last updated 1/20/2021 at 2:50pm



100 years ago

Dec. 24, 1920

The Town of Odessa received one of the finest Christmas presents ever given a municipality of its size in the dedication of the new Community Hall [Editor’s note: Known today as the Old Town Hall] with a Christmas tree, and the interest shown exceeded expectations. Seating capacity of the new auditorium is 500, but the actual count by W.H. Luher, a local merchant, as the people left the hall showed that there were over 1100 people at the community tree. Not anticipating such a crowd, the Christmas tree committee had only mad arrangements for Christmas packages and treats for 910 people. Had not numerous men passed up their privilege for treats saying “give it to the children,” the number would have fallen woefully short.

The Odessa Concert Band has been given the privilege of giving the first dance to be held in the new Community Hall and Manager Al Wagner lost no time in getting out advertising to the effect that the first dance will be a New Year’s ball to be held New Year’s Eve. The first dance will undoubtedly be the biggest ever held in Odessa. The floor is probably the finest in the county, a heavy maple one carefully sanded until it is nearly as smooth as glass. One of the evening’s events will be a prize waltz in which cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.

75 years ago

Dec. 26, 1945

A Christmas program was presented by the high school girl’s sextet, composed of Barbara Hopp, Frances Cook, Betty Raugust, Wilma Lenhart, Merle Williams and Delores Uhrich, with Ruth Derr as accompanist.

Jolly’s Café has installed a large neon sign, with a five-foot base and nine-foot height, adding to the brilliance of the business section and suggesting an idea for other merchants. Many merchants have brightened the interior of their stores with fluorescent lighting during recent weeks, including the bank, Schmauders, Michaelsen’s, the Corner Store and others.

Discussion of possible school route hazards brought a recommendation that the school board travel over each route, marking narrow, dangerous grades and similar hazards and refer the report to the county commissioners.

50 years ago

Dec. 24, 1970

Odessa’s leading businessman, W.C. Raugust, died at the local hospital following a two-month illness and hospitalization. He had suffered a stroke in October. Hospitalized here at first, he was later transferred to Spokane for therapy but was returned to Odessa recently. Last rites for the 75-year-old pioneer, businessman, farmer and former state senator were held at the United Congregational Church with Rev. B.M. Schafer officiating. In 1916, at the age of 20, Raugust organized the Farmers Grain and Lumber Company and then bought out his former employer Dan Mayer, owner of a grain warehouse and lumber yard. In 1927, he reorganized his company into the Odessa Trading Company and moved the main office and implement sales portion of it to Odessa.

25 years ago

Dec. 21, 1995

With construction of Wilbur’s Senior Living Center already under way and an assisted living facility in Davenport being strongly considered, the Odessa Senior Housing Committee emphasized the urgency of getting the proposed assisted and congregate care complex in Odessa off and running. A site has been determined for a 30-unit facility in Odessa, the committee has a fair idea of the cost to build and operate it and is now ready to select an architect and other consultants to move forward with the project.

Author Bio

Terrie Schmidt-Crosby, Editor

Terrie Schmidt-Crosby is an editor with Free Press Publishing. She is the former owner and current editor of the Odessa Record, based in Odessa, Wash.

 

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