Odessa may be small, but our history is mighty, which is made evident by the unique landmarks you can find around town. Keep reading to learn more about some of the area’s most notable attractions.
Jack Ben Rabbit
This 8-foot tall jackrabbit was built in 1962 to pay tribute to Odessa’s jackrabbit roping competition. The competition was held during the Odessa Rodeo until 1978, which is when the Humane Society laid the pastime to rest once and for all. Though originally located at Prairie Pete Park, the “World’s Largest Jackrabbit” has since been relocated to downtown, in front of the Ector County Independent School District Administration Building. When you visit, you’ll find a number of Texas historical markers telling the story of this odd landmark, one of which even provides a recipe for Jackrabbit and Dumplings.
University of Texas of the Permian Basin Stonehenge
Added to the list of Odessa’s unique landmarks is the Stonehenge replica located at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The imitation was constructed in 2004 by stoneworkers Brenda and Connie Edwards because the university felt it would serve as a good educational tool and tourist attraction for the area. The Permian Basin Stonehenge is made of limestone slabs that weigh 20 tons each and are up to 19-feet tall, making the replica slightly shorter than the original.
There are quite a few differences from the actual Stonehenge actually, including the red Texas gravel that surrounds the construction instead of rich green plains. The surroundings and appearance may be more of a rough approximation, but the remake is accurate astronomically and in horizontal size.
Chris Kyle Memorial Plaza
Odessa is home to a 2,800-square-foot memorial in honor of Chris Kyle, author of “American Sniper” and slain Navy SEAL. The memorial is made of Texas limestone, cut from a quarry near Odessa, and features a sculpture of Kyle in the center, surrounded by polished black granite memorial walls for visitors to sit.
Though later he became the deadliest sniper in the history of the United States military, Kyle was originally born in Odessa in 1974. He survived four tours in Iraq, multiple IEDs, and numerous surgeries, but his life was taken in 2013 at a Texas shooting range. His autobiography was later made into a movie starring Bradley Cooper.
George W. Bush’s Childhood Home
Just a short drive from Odessa in Midland is the childhood home of our 43rd president, George Walker Bush. Let’s not forget though, this was actually the home of two U.S. presidents, a First Lady, and two state governors, making it a remarkable piece of American history. The home has been perfectly restored to reflect when the Bush family resided here in the early 1950s. Knowledgeable tour guides walk you through the museum, complete with old photos and memorabilia.
From the strange to the somber, Odessa is home to quite a few important landmarks that are worth checking out. Next time you’re looking for an interesting activity or to learn a bit more about Odessa’s history, consider checking out one of these spots.
Image via Pixabay.com by 26057
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