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Odessa, Texas

Located in Ector County, Texas, Odessa was established in 1881. Friday Night Lights was based on Odessa's Permian High School football team. Odessa and Midland are twin cities at the heart of the Permian Basin.
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Founded 1881 | Population 120,000 | Peak 120,000 (2024) | County Ector County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Odessa, Texas

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1881 Railroad Town: T&P Railway settlement in Permian Basin.
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1926 Oil Boom: Permian Basin oil transforms Odessa.
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1988 Friday Night Lights: Permian Panthers football documented in famous book.
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2008 Shale Boom: Fracking brings new oil surge.
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2019 Mass Shooting: Gunman kills 7 in Odessa-Midland shooting spree.
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Latest News in Odessa

Mar 5, 2026
Oregon Democrats Block ICE Notification for Felony Convicts
Oregon Democratic senators have unanimously blocked a bill that would have mandated state authorities to notify U.S. Immigration a…
Jan 1, 2016
Mother Claims her 3 Sons Were Kicked Out of School Because of her Onlyfans Account
A Texas mother sparked outrage in early 2016 when she accused her sons’ school of expelling the three boys over her work on …
Dec 18, 2015
Controversy Sparked Over Texas Sandwich Shop Sign Photo
TEXAS — Back in December 2015, a simple photo of a sign outside a small sandwich shop in the Dallas area set off a wave of outra…
Nov 9, 2015
Cruz Presidents Should Start Every Day Prayer
WASHINGTON — On November 9, 2015, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz stirred up conversation with a bold suggestion that…
Oct 23, 2015
Military Veteran Biker Group Takes Action when Squatters Steal Soldiers
In a small Texas town back in October 2015, a group of military veteran bikers stepped in to protect one of their own when squatte…
Oct 20, 2015
Bride Set Fire her Husband After she Sleeps Ex Flame
In a quiet suburb outside Dallas, Texas — where life usually unfolds with the predictability of suburban sprawl — a wedding ni…

Complete Historical Timeline

1881 Transport
Railroad Town
1926 Industry
Oil Boom
1988 Culture
Friday Night Lights
2008 Industry
Shale Boom
2019 Crime
Mass Shooting

Did You Know?

1
Friday Night Lights was based on Odessa's Permian High School football team.
2
Odessa and Midland are twin cities at the heart of the Permian Basin.
3
The world's largest jackrabbit statue is in Odessa.
4
Odessa is located in Ector County, Texas.
5
Odessa was founded in 1881.

Famous People from Odessa, Texas

CK
Chris Kyle
Businessperson, United States Navy Seals · Born Apr 8, 1974 · Died Feb 2, 2013 (age 38)
CS
Connor Storrie
Actor · Born Feb 22, 2000 · Age 26
KA
Karan Ashley
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Sep 28, 1975 · Age 50
VA
Victor Aaron
Actor, Voice Actor · Born Sep 11, 1956 · Died Sep 4, 1996 (age 39)
TS
Toby Stevenson
Coach, Athletics Competitor · Born Nov 19, 1976 · Age 49

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FW
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