Black Butte was an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. [1] It was located near Black Butte, a dark-colored mountain at the headwaters of the Coast Fork Willamette River, about 20 miles south of Cottage Grove, at the confluence of Garoutte Creek and the Little River. [2] [3] The Black Butte Mine, which operated from the 1890s to the 1960s, was one of the largest mercury mines in the state. [4] [5] Mercury contamination from abandoned mine tailings continues to be a health concern in the area, including mercury-contaminated runoff from Furnace Creek that has made its way to Cottage Grove Lake. [5]
The post office at Black Butte was originally named Harris, after William Harris, the first postmaster. [3] Harris post office was established in 1898, and the name changed to Blackbutte in 1901. [3] [6] The office ran until 1957. [3] At one time there was a Black Butte School; in 1932 the Black Butte School District was consolidated with the London School District. [7]
43°34′09″N123°04′39″W / 43.5692872°N 123.0775721°W