The Story Behind Giant Jackrabbit In Odessa, Texas

In the heart of Odessa, Texas, is an 8-foot-tall jackrabbit known as "Jack Ben Rabbit".  This was erected in 1962 by the then-president of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, John Ben Shapard, and grew so popular that you see Odessa littered with jackrabbits all throughout the city.

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Jack Ben Rabbit History

Originally, the statue was supposed to pay homage to the popular Jackrabbit roping competitions held annually at the Odessa rodeo.  An event considered to be a significant contribution to Odessa's culture since 1932.  However, the annual jackrabbit roping competitions were discontinued in 1978 thanks to concerns regarding animal welfare.

Statue Location

The statue, constructed of fiberglass, was originally placed in Prairie Pete Park but was eventually removed and placed into storage.  When the public heard that the statue was removed, there was public outcry, which eventually led to the statue being moved to the front of the Ector County Independent School District Administration building, where it still resides to this day.

Statue Theft Attempt

In 1997, someone tried stealing the statue, which led to the statue eventually being bolted down to prevent another attempt.  In 2004, having been on public display for over 40 years, the city of Odessa's "Jackrabbit Jamboree", an Odessa art initiative, introduced over 30 jackrabbits that would be decorated by local artists and displayed at multiple places throughout the streets of Odessa.