Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Jackrabbit

(1964)

Photographed By Kayla Harper, August 23, 2020

1. The Jackrabbit Marker

Inscription.

True plains rabbit. Lives only in the west. Burro-like ears gave him his name. Color is protective, blending with sand and dry grass. Very long legs make him a swift runner, clocked at speeds to 45 miles an hour. Object of hunts with greyhounds.

Was prized by Plains Indians for food and fur. To white man a reminder of desert-hard life. In drouth and depression, meat source for thousands.

Subject of tall tales. Actual hero of world's only Jackrabbit Rodeo, in Odessa, May 1932. (see other side)

Reverse
"First, catch your rabbit."
Dress rabbit. Salt and soak in
brine, then boil till tender.
Add pepper to taste. Fill pot
with dumplings. Cook till dough
is done.

Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5362.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 31° 50.984′ N, 102° 22.465′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker is at the intersection of West 8th Street and North Sam Houston Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West 8th Street. Marker is on the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Odessa TX 79761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker. World's First Championship Jackrabbit Roping (here, next to this marker); Odessa (a few steps from this marker); Ector County Public Schools (a few steps from this marker); The Henderson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Earl George Rodman, Sr. and William Douglas Noel (approx. ¼ mile away); Odessa Petrochemical Complex (approx. ¼ mile away); The Waddell Pecan Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of The Odessa Sanitarium (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Odessa.

Also see . . . The Jackrabbits of Odessa. Pictorial proof that the place is infested with 'em. (Submitted on July 22, 2015.)

The Jackrabbit Marker (on the left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 10, 2015

2. The Jackrabbit Marker (on the left)

World's First Championship Jackrabbit Roping Marker is on the right.

The Jackrabbit Marker (reverse side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, August 23, 2020

3. The Jackrabbit Marker (reverse side)

The Jackrabbit Marker (reverse side text detail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, August 23, 2020

4. The Jackrabbit Marker (reverse side text detail)

<i>"West Texas Jackrabbit"</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1930

5. "West Texas Jackrabbit"

Some things really are bigger in Texas.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 25, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 2. submitted on July 21, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 5. submitted on July 22, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.