Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ector County Courthouse
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015
1. Ector County Courthouse Marker
The 1891 courthouse was frame, the remodelled town sanitarium, moved to the present square. Its first floor had rooms for the sheriff, court clerks and Odessa school, while the county and district courtroom was upstairs. As the only public building in town, it provided space for dances, socials and church services. Picnics and baptizings were held at the windmill and tank on the northwest corner of the square. As townsite restriction banned the sale of liquor, Odessa was usually quiet. However, fights broke out when settlers rushed to the courthouse to file claims on public lands.
In 1904 a 2-story red stone courthouse was built just east of the early one. On the lawn in 1906 the Christian church was organized. At that time Odessa had 400 people and little hope for growth, because of drouths and their effects on cattle raising.
After oil discoveries of 1926 stimulated Ector's development, a 3-story cement building was erected in 1938.
The fourth structure was dedicated April 12, 1964, by governor John Connally.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1380.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings
this page online
Location. 31° 50.825′ N, 102° 22.105′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker is on North Grant Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Grant Avenue, Odessa TX 79761, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Matthew D. Ector (here, next to this marker); Ector County Land Rush (here, next to this marker); Site of The Odessa Sanitarium (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Livery Stable and Wagon Yard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Odessa Land & Townsite Company (about 300 feet away); The Odessa Telephone Exchange (about 300 feet away); The Waddell Pecan Tree (about 500 feet away); Site of The Dawson Saloon (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015
2. Ector County Courthouse Marker (on right)
Ector County Land Rush Marker (on left) and General Matthew D. Ector Marker (in center)
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015
3. Ector County Courthouse
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015
4. Ector County Courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
