Historical Marker
Site of The Dawson Saloon
Historical marker location:
125 West 2nd St., Odessa, Texas
( 125 West 2nd St. (also US Hwy. 80), Odessa (in front of Bldg. facing North))
Marker installed: 1967
Frontier business of S.T. (TOL) and E.F. (LISH) Dawson, brothers. Lish Dawson, 1891-92 Sheriff of Ector County, had a barber chair in the Saloon, and helped tend bar. Liquor was in 40-gallon barrels. Ice for drinks was hauled from great lakes by Texas & Pacific Railroad.
To avoid township restriction on liquor sales, Dawson moved saloon to the street; Tol was brought to trial for this.
"White Ribboners"--Clubwomen opposed saloons. In the face Lish Dawson lost his office, and the business was closed.