O'Donnell is located south of
Lubbock between
Tahoka and
Lamesa along US 87 in
Dawson County.
It was established in 1908 as a stop on the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad, and named for a railroad official.
In June 1910, lots were sold and a town began; by 1912 the town had a post office, a gin, a hotel, a real-estate office, and a general store. At first the local economy was dominated by cotton farming and ginning. A bank opened at the town in 1919, when the population was 300, and a movement began for incorporation, which occurred on May 5, 1923.
By 1930 the town had 1,026 residents; it grew to 1,187 by 1940 and to 1,238 by 1980. O'Donnell was the home of Dan Blocker, who portrayed 'Hoss' Cartwright on the popular television series 'Bonanza' during the late 1950s and the 1960s.
In 1990 the population of O'Donnell was 1,102.