Odessa, Texas is located in both Ector and Midland counties. The population of the city is close to 99,000 residents and the city primarily resides in Ector County. The name of Odessa refers to wheat. The founder named the city in 1884 after a wheat distribution center because it looked like the city could harvest a good wheat crop.
Odessa is also home to the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale. The group has performed for over 45 years in the Permian Basin. The symphony is comprised of musicians from the area but also attract musicians throughout the country to participate in the chamber ensembles like the Permian Basin String Quartet and West Texas Winds.
The Presidential Museum and Leadership Library is located on Odessa's University of Texas of the Permian Basin campus. This library is the only library that is not dedicated to any particular president but rather the office of the Presidency itself. Recently due to economic hardship the Museum closed its doors in August 2009. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin was originally opened as an upper level and graduate university. Legislation was passed in 1991 to allow the entrance of freshman and sophomores to the campus.
Odessa is also the home to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Odessa College.
The business directory of ChamberofCommerce.com is your connection to local businesses in Odessa, Texas. Search the Texas yellowpages state listing to find other cities featuring local business services.