Ector County Newspapers
Historical marker location:In 1895, William C. "Uncle Billy" griffin came to Odessa from Midland and began publishing Ector County's first Newspaper, the Odessa "weekly news'. The "weekly news" lasted only a year, and was followed by six other short-lived weekly publications until Agu. 1927, when production of Odessa "times" and Odessa "news" began. In Oct. 1928, the two weekly papers were merged as the Odessa "news-times".
The towns of penwell and Goldsmith supported for a short time, during the oil boom of the 1930s, the only Ector County newspapers known to have been published outside of Odessa.
The first daily newspaper, the "daily bulletin", began in 1936. The "news-times" followed with a daily in 1937. On Oct. 2, 1940, R. Henderson shuffler consolidated the "daily bulletin" and the "news-time" into the Odessa "Amerinca", which he sold on Aug. 11, 1945. Ownership of the newspaper changed twice before Aug. 13, 1948, when it was purchased by Raymond Cyrus Hoiles of freedom newspapers, Inc. V. L. Debolt was appointed publisher and has held that position for 26 years.
The Odessa "American" has withstood brief competition from 5 newspapers since its first publication and has been published at this site since 1951
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
The Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. space program. It was here that NASA trained its astronauts and mission control teams, and it continues to be an important center for space research and exploration today.
The county's history took a major turn in 1881 when the Texas and Pacific Railway reached the area. This led to the establishment of the town of Odessa, which would later become the county seat. The area experienced a boom in population and economic growth, thanks to the development of the railroad and the discovery of oil in the early 20th century.
Ector County played a significant role in the oil boom of West Texas. The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in the late 1920s transformed the region into one of the largest oil-producing areas in the United States. This led to a rapid increase in population and the development of oil-related industries. The county's economy became heavily reliant on oil, with many residents working in the oil fields or related industries.
In recent years, Ector County has continued to see growth and development. The region has diversified its economy to include industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. As the county seat, Odessa has become a vibrant city with a thriving arts and cultural scene. Today, Ector County is known for its rich history, oil heritage, and its contributions to the energy industry.
Ector County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ector County, Texas.
- 1880 - Ector County is established and named after Confederate General Mathew Ector.
- 1889 - Odessa, the county seat, is founded as a water stop and trading post for the Texas and Pacific Railway.
- 1927 - The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin leads to a population boom in Ector County.
- 1935 - Odessa becomes a city and experiences rapid growth due to the oil industry.
- 1951 - The University of Texas Permian Basin is founded in Odessa.
- 1970 - Ector County's population surpasses 100,000 residents.