Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
First Texas Hometown
U.S. President George Bush
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 10, 2015
1. First Texas Hometown Marker
In July 1948 after Bush's graduation from Yale he, wife Barbara, and infant son George W. moved to Odessa. Came to booming oil field as trainee with Ideco. At 202 W. 1st headquarters he maintained equipment inventory, painted, swept floors, performed handyman tasks. He traveled all over the Permian Basin selling drilling supplies.
Bush family rented shotgun home at 1319 E. 7th. Quickly adapted to community embracing West Texas customs such as football fever. Moved to 1523 E. 7th ad 916 E. 17th before transferring out-of-state in April 1949.
Bush said, "At Odessa We Became Texans--and Proud of it."
Erected 1989 by Heritage of Odessa Foundation. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 31° 52.969′ N, 102° 19.138′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. It can be reached from the intersection of East University Boulevard and Hanover Drive. Marker is located behind The Presidential Archives and Leadership Library on the campus of the University of Texas
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Texas. It is also in 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 Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "At Odessa We Became Texans and Proud of It" (here, next to this marker); History of Stonehenge (approx. Ύ mile away); Construction and Engineering of Stonehenge (approx. Ύ mile away); John Ben Shepperd (approx. one mile away); Emmet V. Headlee, M.D (approx. one mile away); Old Buffalo Wallow (approx. 1.2 miles away); Ector County (approx. 1.2 miles away); Comanche War Trail (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 24, 2026
2. First Texas Hometown Marker
Marker on the right
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 25 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
