  We describe optical methods for trapping, cooling, and observing single
$^{87}$Rb atoms in a four-lens "Maltese cross" geometry (MCG). The use of four
high numerical-aperture lenses in the cardinal directions enables efficient
collection of light from non-collinear directions, but also restricts the
optical access for cooling and optical pumping tasks. We demonstrate
three-dimensional atom localization with sub-wavelength precision, and present
measurements of the trap lifetime, temperature and transverse trap frequency in
this geometry. We observe a trap performance comparable to what has been
reported for single-atom traps with one- or two-lens optical systems, and
conclude that the additional coupling directions provided by the MCG come at
little cost to other trap characteristics.
