Born in Ohio in 1876, Thomas E. Odell came to South Dakota in 1907. With scant education, he achieved college degrees and taught for 25 years, his last school at 86, to afford him time for summer research. He wrote "Mato Paha," the story of Bear Butte, a western classic. His persistence culminated with the enactment of chapter 307, Sessions Laws of 1961, creating this park. Humble and self-effacing, he sought no other honor than the respect of his fellow citizens.