Historic Courthouse

Ector County Courthouse

Odessa, Texas

Built in 1938 by architect Elmer George Withers.

Three story concrete structure originally of the International style, with steel-construction ribbon windows and vertically-expressed entrance featuring bas relief. The third floor housed jail facilities. The original building encompassed 40,000 square feet.

1964- complete renovation which covered its International facade with concrete sun screen panel additions. The additional construction more than doubled the size of the courthouse.

Current status: Active Courthouse

The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) nationally recognized and award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun restoring these treasured historic landmarks. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today more than 240 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

gravesites
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
Texas random facts
Ector County, Texas, has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was once inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Apache, and Tigua tribes. Spanish explorers arrived in the region in the 16th century, but it wasn't until the mid-19th century that permanent settlements began to form in the area.

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.

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.