Odessa History

Odessa is the 23rd largest city in Texas.

Odessa is home to three higher education institutions, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and Odessa College.

Odessa has the second largest Meteor Crater in the United States.

Odessa has several past residents who have gone on to become famous...
George W. Bush- Resident from 1948-1949; Current President of the US.
George Bush- Resident from 1948-1949; Former President of the US.

Other famous residents include:

The Gatlin Brothers (Larry, Rudy and Steve) –Residents from 1950-to 1970; country and western singers

Larry King– Resident 1952-1962; Author, journalist, screen writer

Ty Murray-Resident from 1987-1989; World Champion Cowboy

Roy Williams- Professional football player

Toby Stevenson-2004 Silver Medal Olympic Winner, Pole Vaulting

Hayden Fry –Resident from 1943-1950; Head football coach at University of Iowa, SMU and North Texas State University

Jack Eric Williams- Native Odessan born in 1944; Composer and Lyricist

Larry Henley- Native Odessan; Actor, singer and songwriter

Larry Johnson- Resident from 1987-1989; Professional basketball player

Chuck Greenwood- Resident until 1972: Thunderbird pilot

Britt Hager- Resident from 1966-1984; Professional football player

Stoney Case-Resident until 1990; Professional football player

Daryl Hunt- Professional football player

Jim Bullock - Actor

Odessa , Texas was established in 1881 as a stop on the Texas and Pacific Railroads. It has been said that Odessa’s name originated from an area that resembled our region around the Russian city in Ukraine named Odessa . The unsurpassed beauty of the West Texas sunsets and a climate that is warm and inviting make this uncommon city a true paradise. Odessa is also well known for its hospitality, and people with deep appreciation of colorful past and enthusiasm for a future rich with possibilities. Odessa is a city where cowboys, culture, oil and everything in between bring visitors a flavor so delicious it can only be described as “A City of Contrasts.”

Odessa is located in Ector County , approximately midway between Ft. worth and El Paso , covering an area of 35.04 square miles. This area is called the Permian Basin . The Permian Basin is approximately 250 mile wide and 300 miles long. The basin was formed during the Permian Period, the final portion of the Paleozoic Era approximately 280 million years ago. A shallow sea, known as the Permian Sea , which was densely populated with life, once covered the Permian Basin . As the ocean dried up, the decaying plants and animals eventually helped form the gigantic pools of oil and gas that are still being taken from the basin. Three of the state’s major land resources meet here- the High Plains, Trans Pecos and Edward’s Plateau.

Located in a region where the Comanche Indians once roamed, Odessa ’s history as a settlement can be traced to the 1881 extension of the Texas and Pacific Railway across the south plains and the need to provide water for the steam engines. The availability of cheap land encouraged settlers to the area from 1879 to 1885. The first ranchers arrived in 1885, but it was the railroad that made Odessa vital to the cattle industry. By the mid 1890’s Odessa was an established cattle shipping center.

When oil was discovered in 1926, the destiny of the community took a different course. This discovery brought people of varied interests and occupations to the area, and the local economy began to change from a ranching base into an industrial one.

Today, Odessa is alive and thriving, although oil and gas still remain our largest industry the city has begun to diversify. Odessa is quickly being recognized as a major health industry hub with three hospitals, a cancer center and several medical specialists in the area. Family Dollar Distribution Center scheduled to open in June 2003 will serve as one of Odessa's largest retail employers.