Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang
“50 Years and Still Cooking”
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015
1. Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang Marker
Inscription.
Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang. “50 Years and Still Cooking”. Famous for pit cooked barbeque, community spirit, western hospitality. Founded March 1940 by 33 Chamber of Commerce members as Odessa goodwill ambassadors. Served 350 plates in Andrews at first feed. During next 5 decades volunteer cookers traveled millions of miles across highways and airways of Texas, U.S., Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Norway, West Germany. Survived wars, sandstorms, floods, food rationing to feed thousands including governors and 3 presidents. Experts at fast-moving lines, 10 gang members serve up to 1,000 people per hour. Fed a record 41,100 in 3-day event at Grand Ole Opry Fan Fair in Nashville. Non profit gang now composed of 250 Odessa businessmen. Proceeds used to provide scholarships and free meals for needy children.
Famous for pit cooked barbeque, community spirit, western hospitality. Founded March 1940 by 33 Chamber of Commerce members as Odessa goodwill ambassadors. Served 350 plates in Andrews at first feed. During next 5 decades volunteer cookers traveled millions of miles across highways and airways of Texas, U.S., Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Norway, West Germany. Survived wars, sandstorms, floods, food rationing to feed thousands including governors and 3 presidents. Experts at fast-moving lines, 10 gang members serve up to 1,000 people per hour. Fed a record 41,100 in 3-day event at Grand Ole Opry Fan Fair in Nashville. Non profit gang now composed of 250 Odessa businessmen. Proceeds used to provide scholarships and free meals for needy children.
Erected 1990 by Heritage of Odessa Foundation. (Marker Number 19.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 31° 53.01′ N, 102° 23.254′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 385. Marker is just west of the south entrance to the Ector County Coliseum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Andrews Highway, Odessa TX 79762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker.
The Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang Marker is at the far right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 462 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
