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]