Odessa’s Iconic Jackrabbit May Be Getting Supersized

One of the things that people in Odessa, Texas, take pride in is our 8-foot jackrabbit located in the heart of downtown, affectionately known as Jack Ben Rabbit.  It's a highly recognizable landmark that is enjoyed by countless people every single year.

Everything Is Bigger in Texas

While an 8-foot-tall Jackrabbit is impressive, to the people of Odessa, it isn't quite big enough.  City officials, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, along with Mayor Cal Hendrick, have proposed an ambitious plan to erect a 50-foot Jackrabbit monument.  This would essentially give Odessa the world's largest jackrabbit.

A World Record?

The current world record holder of the world's largest jackrabbit is held by Ralls, Texas.  The monument is 14.5 feet tall and weighs around 5,000 pounds.  If the proposed plan gets approved, the new Odessa monument will easily tower over the one in Ralls.

Economic Impact

There are still talks of securing funding for the project.  According to the City of Odessa's webpage, Economist Dr. Ray Perryman predicts that the project will be much more than a photo opportunity.  Estimating that it would generate over 55 million in economic impact via tourism, media attention, and local business growth.

Possible Locations

If approved, the city will be tasked with securing a location for the monument.  Currently, two possibilities include 5th and Grant, and 4th and Texas.