How "Odyssey" Got Its Name Back in the early 1800s, this place had an Indian name, and that makes sense, seeing as how most of the denizens at that time were Indians. They called it "Wey-Aka-Tal-Ah-Nee-Tee," which, roughly translated, means "Land That Stinks Like Swamp."
Some Facts About Odyssey Whit chose to settle in Odyssey for several reasons. Its relatively small population (approximately 35,000 people) makes it ideal for civic involvement, which was therapeutic for Jenny.
John Avery Whitaker: A History John Avery Whittaker is not the type of person who stands out in a crowd. As a matter of fact, unless you get to know him really well, it might be easy to lose him in a large group of people.
A Place Called "Whit's End" Teaching junior high English was an eye-opening experience for Whit. Having just gotten his own family back into relatively good order, he was extra sensitive to what he perceived to be the decay of society and, more specifically, the effect it was having on children.
How "Odyssey" Got Its Name