Odem Building

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll give you every word it's worth. Back in 1894, a group of forward-thinkers got together and organized the Sinton townsite company, set up to promote the development of a brand-new railroad town called Sinton. Among the founders of that company was a local merchant by the name of David Odem, and from the start, Odem was positioning himself as a man to watch.

He became a prominent landowner and businessman in Sinton, and then in 1906 he became one of the principal stockholders in the newly organized Sinton State Bank. Now, when a man's name and a bank's name start running together in the same breath, you know something's going to get built. Sure enough, in 1909, up went the Sinton State Bank Building.

And it was something to see. Beaux Arts influences, the marker says, with a careful emphasis on symmetry. A focal corner entry dressed up in fine terra cotta details, cast stone door and window surrounds, two-story arches over round-arched windows, and terra cotta detailing along the top of the parapet.

This wasn't just a bank. It was a statement. The building got so closely tied to David Odem that folks around town started calling it the Odem Building, plain and simple.

The Sinton State Bank operated right there on that site for years, decade after decade, right up until the depression came calling. Difficulties during the depression resulted in the bank closing in 1934. Since that time, the building has been used for various business purposes, keeping itself useful, staying in the game.

And here's the part worth savoring. Downtown Sinton took its hits over the years. Storms.

Fire. A good many of those early wooden structures were destroyed or damaged. But the Odem Building?

Due to its solid construction, it withstood all of it. Every last disaster that came through. When David Odem's bank closed its doors, the building he was so closely associated with just kept standing, quiet and symmetrical and dressed in its terra cotta best, outlasting nearly everything around it.

Some things, when they're built right, just refuse to fall.

What the marker says

The Sinton townsite company was organized in 1894 to promote the development of the new railroad town of Sinton. Local merchant David Odem, one of the founders of the townsite company, established himself as a prominent landowner and businessman in Sinton. In 1906 he became one of the principal stockholders in the newly organized Sinton State Bank. This building was erected in 1909 as the Sinton State Bank Building. Closely associated with David Odem, the building became known locally as the Odem Building. Its architectural design exhibits Beaux Arts influences, and features an emphasis on symmetry, a focal corner entry with fine terra cotta details and cast stone door and window surrounds. Also of note are the two story arches over round-arched windows and terra cotta detailing on the top of the parapet. The Sinton State Bank continued to operate from this site until difficulties during the depression resulted in the bank's closing in 1934 since that time the building has been used for various business purposes. Due to its solid construction the Odem building has withstood the storm and fire-related disasters which destroyed or damaged many of the early wooden structures in Sinton's downtown area.