Randi+and+Austin

=Odessa, Texas=

By: Randi Gardner

Odessa, Texas, named for the way it reminded railroad workers of Odessa, Russia, was best for ranching and was best known for its Hereford cattle (Beauchamp). It was a very unknown city until around 1882 (Odessa, Texas). Railways brought new people to the new city with passenger services being offered in 1881 (Pollard). The Pacific Railway bribed immigration to the new city by offering to haul farming machinery and personal belongings for free (Beauchamp). Odessa was very low populated until the 1930’s (Odessa, Texas). During the year of 1926 oil was discovered, driving people to migrate to Odessa (Odessa, Texas). During World War II the need for oil skyrocketed. Odessa was the perfect place to help supply that need. This city is hot and dry, but it has a lot to offer and everything it had to offer brought the people to their new home.

"Ector County, Texas History." __HistoricTexas.net | Texas History, Genealogy, Photos, Bios, & more!__ 21 Aug. 2009 . __Odessa Texas - A visual History__. 21 Aug. 2009 .

=John Wilkins=



By: Austin Stenquist
==== John Wilkins was a great coach in Odessa Texas. He coached the Perman High Panthers for thirteen years; 1973 to 1985. He worked up an impressive record at Permian, "amassing a 148-16-7 record and two Class 4A titles" (Wikipedia). Besides his two Class 4A state wins, his team made it to the state finals four times. This made John somewhat of a legend of a coach in the small town of Odessa. However, he took a job as an athletic director in the Ector County Independent School District (Wikipedia). He preformed this job at the trinity School of Midland in 1998 (Wikipedia). There he again was head coach of the football team until 2002 (Wikipedia). He currently resides in East Odessa with his wife and two sons. "John Wilkins (American Football)." Wikipedia. 10 Dec. 2008. Web. 23 Aug. 2009. . ====