Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of The Odessa Sanitarium

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015

1. Site of The Odessa Sanitarium Marker

Inscription. Established in 1886 by Odessa Townsite Company, the Odessa Medical and Surgical Sanitarium was directed by Dr. R.E. Haughton, a former railroad physician from Indiana. It was located in a two-story wooden structure of twenty rooms.

By March 1890 the project had failed. Dr. Haughton moved to Midland. The building became a haven for migrant families. A portion was used as a church.

When Ector County was created in January 1891, the sanitarium was moved several blocks and became the first Ector County Courthouse.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4898.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 31° 50.807′ N, 102° 22.119′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. It is on North Grant Avenue (US 385), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 307 North Grant Avenue, Odessa TX 79761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

It is also in

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the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ector County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); General Matthew D. Ector (within shouting distance of this marker); Ector County Land Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Livery Stable and Wagon Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Odessa Land & Townsite Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Odessa Telephone Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Longhorns (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Waddell Pecan Tree (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015

2. Site of The Odessa Sanitarium Marker

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026

3. Site of The Odessa Sanitarium Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.