Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Odessa was platted, September 17, 1878 by Judge John Kirkpatrick, his wife, Sara, and a friend, Alexander R. Patterson. Incorporation occurred February 3, 1880. Odessa was first settled on the north side of what was then the Chicago and Alton railroad tracks. The town was named by T.B. Blackstone, C&A president, who, on a visit here, told people that the area surrounding the new town, reminded him of the wheat belt surrounding Odessa, Russia. Many of the early residents and buildings came from Mt. Hope three miles south.

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