This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

Dec. 31, 1920

The Odessa Hardware & Implement Co. had a narrow escape from a disastrous fire when a blaze broke out in its place of business and was quickly put out by a hurry-up run of the local fire department. The fire originated in the stairway to the basement, evidently a short time after closing at six o’clock and was discovered a little after seven by Henry Strate who turned in the alarm.

Ernest J. Wachter and Dorothy Neff were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents in Yakima. Those on intimate terms with the contracting parties realized that marriage would be the ultimate termination of the strong bond of friendship that has existed between “Slats” and Dorothy, which has dated back a couple of years.

75 years ago

Dec. 27, 1945

Returning service men are making their presence felt in many phases of the town’s life. This was strongly portrayed at the Christmas dance, where over 150 couples were present, a large number from the service group. The men returning are being absorbed by local business firms, one of these firms stating that it would have employment for every able-bodied veteran that returns.

The Odessa Insurance Office has been sold by George Schiewe to Clarence Hemmerling. Hemmerling takes possession on January 1. The deal includes the business and the Schiewe home on Liberty Hill. The Schiewes plan to leave for Olympia, where they have purchased a farm tract.

50 years ago

Dec. 31, 1970

Paul Hopp was elected president of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce for 1971 at a meeting of the newly elected directors of the organization. Jim Walter will be the vice president. Laurence Libsack was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Other board members are newly-elected John Dupree and Dr. John Gahringer. It is planned that a German theme will be utilized this year in the food as well as the program for the 1971 fall festival. Ideas will be introduced at the annual dinner meeting in order that community-wide interest and participation might be developed.

Fifteen Odessa boy scouts were scheduled to participate in the 1970 winter camp at Almira Falls on Wilson Creek about five miles south of Almira. “We will be staying in and about a cave about ¾ of a mile from the Max Kiner ranch located on the highway between Marlin and Almira,” said Scoutmaster Harold Keller. An ample supply of wood for cooking and warmth had been arranged.

Jay Scrupps, son of Jim and Esther Scrupps of Odessa was selected as a member of the Spokane Falls Community College basketball team.

25 years ago

Dec. 28, 1995

Things won’t be back to normal for a long time for the Lincoln County government, but the county was functioning this week, back in business on Tuesday, the day after Christmas after the fire last Thursday night that gutted most of the courthouse in Davenport. The thick brick walls were left standing, but the second floor of the 1893 structure was completely destroyed. Firefighters retrieved records and files in the county clerk’s, auditor’s and assessor’s offices, even as the suspected arson fire was raging. Other records in the first-floor vault were unharmed.

The Odessa Town Council voted to go forward with a grinder-pump system for its sewer system. Odessa mayor Denny McDaniel said he would proceed to work with the engineering firm on design and financing.