Odell Butte Lookout

Odell Butte was first used as a patrol lookout as early as 1907. In July 1915, Ranger South took "observations regarding the advisability of establishing a lookout station at that point" and shortly later a 12 by 12 cabin was built atop a log crib. A phone line was established in the late 1920s.. In 1932, an L-4 cab was built on a 20 foot round timber tower. In 1962 a R-6 live-in flattop cab with catwalk on a 30 foot treated wood tower was constructed. Prior to construction, a road was pushed to the summit. This final cab continues in active service.

December 1930: "Last summer the Odell Butte Emergency Lookout, Jack Benson, was confronted with a very unpleasant situation. Pack rats were attempting to carry off bodily both him and his camp. After many nights of ferocious battling and loss of sleep, he decided something must be done to rid the mountain of these unwelcome visitors. He tried many hand-fashioned traps, but the rats ignored them completely. When about to give up in despair, a tin can gave him a new idea. He took a can and cut the bottom crosswise, dividing it into quarters. These sharp-pointed quarters he pushed in, leaving an opening just large enough for the head of a rat. The principle of the trap was that a rat, upon sticking its head through the opening, would be securely held by the sharp points.
Jack fixed one can, baited it, and then went to bed, hoping the trap would work. During the night he was awakened by the sound of a tin can being thumped on rocks. Investigation proved a rat was in his trap. Right then and there, Jack added six more traps to his list, baited them, and returned to bed in much better spirits. The next morning seven rats were found running around with tin can bells. It was not long until Jack could sleep peacefully all night. C.H. Overbay" (Six Twenty-Six)

Lookouts:
1934: Merle Hamilton took over as replacement for Vernon Everett, who had cut his foot and was unable to perform his duties.
1942: Bill Jenkins of Gilchrist, only three weeks out from Mississippi, is the new lookout, replacing Johnnie Myers.