WELCOME ! I spent some significant time in Jackson Hole during my youth- fortunate to have some hospitable relatives who own a home by the fish hatchery (RIP, Aunt Martha), and I regularly return to enjoy "God's Country", praise the Lord !
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026
History of the Hole, The Confluence of Deep Time: Jackson, the Tetons, & Yellowstone
note: personally I believe in a young earth according to the Bible. The term "deep time" is from AI which generated this essay, and often is intertwined with the belief in evolution. I am not advocating for evolution.
The Confluence of Deep Time and Development: A Historical Geography of Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and the Yellowstone Region
I. The Immovable Foundation: Geological Origins of the Teton-Jackson Hole System
The history of Jackson Hole is fundamentally defined by its dramatic geological context, a landscape shaped by colossal tectonic forces over billions of years. The Tetons and the adjacent valley represent one of the most striking fault-block systems in North America, providing the sheer scenic backdrop that would later define the area’s economic and conservation history.
A. Tectonic Forces and the Basin and Range Province
The geological foundation of the Teton Range is ancient, rooted in 2.7 billion-year-old metamorphic rocks, primarily gneiss. These rocks were formed from seafloor sediments and volcanic debris buried up to 18 miles deep as tectonic plates collided, a process analogous to the contemporary formation of the Himalayas. While the rock core is ancient, the Teton Range itself began its dramatic growth relatively recently, only some 9 million years ago.
The Teton Range is a classic example of a horst (uplifted block) and graben (down-dropped block) structure characteristic of the larger Basin and Range Province. Jackson Hole is the deep basin—or "hole"—that sits immediately adjacent to the uplifted Teton Range. The recent and ongoing nature of this uplift is directly responsible for the mountains’ distinguishing feature: their exceptionally rugged profile and lack of foothills. This abrupt vertical relief is the physical manifestation of active tectonics and is the critical pre-condition for the area’s later designation as an area of national scenic significance.
B. The Great Displacement: Jackson Hole as a Rift Valley
The Teton Fault marks the boundary between the uplifted mountains and the subsiding valley. Sedimentary layers provide a striking measure of this movement. Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks, deposited in ancient shallow seas (including formations rich in marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and trilobites) , were originally continuous across the region. However, tectonic activity dramatically altered their alignment.
The most compelling evidence of this displacement is found when comparing the elevation of the pink-colored Flathead Sandstone. A prominent outcrop of this formation exists 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) above the valley floor on the summit of Mount Moran. Drilling within Jackson Hole reveals the exact same formation buried an astonishing 24,000 feet (7,300 meters) below the surface. This measurement confirms that the two tectonic blocks have been displaced from each other by a total vertical distance of 30,000 feet (9,100 meters). This vast movement has occurred at an average rate of approximately one foot every 300 years, or 1 centimeter per year , highlighting the sustained, energetic geological forces that continue to shape the region. This profound difference in elevation dictates not only the stunning visual spectacle but also the extreme climate and topographical challenges that early human inhabitants and settlers faced.
II. Millennia of Stewardship: The Indigenous Presence
Long before Euro-American explorers entered the region in the 19th century, the Jackson Hole valley and the surrounding high country were integral parts of the cultural and physical landscape for numerous Native American tribes. This continuous, multi-millennial presence contradicts the romanticized narrative of the valley as an untouched wilderness.
A. The First Inhabitants and Resource Utilization
The land encompassed by the modern Grand Teton National Park holds historical, cultural, and spiritual meaning for at least 24 associated tribes. Key tribal groups that utilized the valley included the Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Eastern Shoshone, Gros Ventre, Mountain Shoshone (Tukudika), Nez Perce, and Northern Arapaho.
These groups were the earliest human inhabitants, leaving traces of their camps and trails visible on the valley floor and even high in the Tetons. Their traditional lifeways involved systematic resource utilization, including hunting elk and bison and gathering essential materials like berries, pine nuts, and obsidian. The valley served as a crucial location for trade and sustenance.
B. The Mountain Shoshone (Tukudika)
A specific band, the Mountain Shoshone, known as the Tukudika or "Sheep Eater" Indians, dwelled uniquely in the high mountain areas, including the heart of the area that would later become Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole. The name Tukudika, meaning "eaters of the mountain sheep," reflects their specialized expertise in utilizing the elusive bighorn sheep as their primary source of meat.
Their diet was sophisticated and diverse, consisting of at least 50% plants, roots, nuts, and berries. The Tukudika were highly skilled artisans, creating exceptional tools such as horn bows and obsidian arrows. While the name "Sheep Eater" was sometimes viewed as placing them lower on the Shoshone social hierarchy than bison or elk hunters, modern analysis recognizes it as signifying a nuanced, highly adapted cultural tradition utilizing the challenging mountain environment.
C. Removal and Legacy
The continuous human occupation of the Teton region by Indigenous peoples persisted until the late nineteenth century. At this point, the Tukudika, like other bands, were forcibly removed to reservations. They were incorporated primarily into the Eastern Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho. This forced displacement led to the partial collapse of their traditional lifeways and allowed the land to be perceived as an empty, pristine wilderness by the subsequent wave of settlers and conservationists.
The contemporary relationship is marked by recognition; in 2023, the Town Council of Jackson adopted a Land Acknowledgement to formally recognize these earliest stewards of the valley. The historical displacement demonstrates that the landscape was not discovered but appropriated, transitioning from a managed traditional homeland into a commodity prized first for its resources, then for its scenery.
III. The Era of the Mountain Man: Exploration and Naming (1806–1840)
The early 19th century saw the arrival of the first Euro-Americans, drawn by the lucrative North American fur trade. These rugged explorers defined the initial geographical mapping and nomenclature that persists today.
A. The Pathfinders and the Fur Trade Crossroads
The first recorded Euro-American to enter Jackson Hole was John Colter in 1806, who had been released from the Lewis and Clark Expedition to trap furs in the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. Another early figure, John Hoback, also associated with Lewis and Clark, toured the area that same winter, lending his name to the Hoback River by 1811.
Jackson Hole, situated near the headwaters of most of the West’s major rivers, became a critical crossroads for the fur trade in the northern Rockies. Trappers, often working alone for months, utilized the region intensively during the fall and early spring when beaver pelts were at their peak quality. Famous mountain men, including Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and William Sublette, traveled the trails that crossed the valley. These trappers were crucial in opening the door for later migrations and guiding subsequent military and civilian expeditions, such as the 1860 exploration led by Captain William F. Raynolds and guided by Jim Bridger. The annual summer trade gatherings, known as rendezvous, though often held nearby in locations like Pierre’s Hole, Idaho, solidified the valley’s importance to the regional trapping economy.
B. Geographic Nomenclature: The Tetons and the Hole
The distinctive landmarks were named by these early trappers, reflecting both European and American influences. The soaring, unmistakable mountain peaks were named "Les Trois Tetons" (The Three Breasts) around the 1820s by French-Canadian trappers.
The valley itself was named after David E. Jackson, a prolific beaver trapper, around 1829. His partner, Bill Sublette, named it "Jackson’s Hole" because it was Jackson's preferred trapping ground and where he reportedly spent the winter of 1829 on the shores of Jackson Lake. The term "Hole" is a geographical descriptor used by mountain men to denote a high, enclosed mountain valley. The naming process itself underscored the valley’s immediate economic utility (fur) while simultaneously identifying the scenic features that would later attract conservationists. These names, coined by economic opportunists, inadvertently established the iconic landmarks that became the focus of federal preservation policies decades later.
IV. From Isolation to Settlement: Homesteading and Early Community Foundation (1880–1914)
The era of the mountain men gave way to permanent settlement in the late 19th century, marking a shift toward agricultural and civic establishment despite profound geographical barriers.
A. The First Families and Homesteading Frameworks
The first white American permanent settlers arrived in the mid-1880s. John Holland, John Carnes, and Millie Sorelle settled in Jackson Hole in 1884. They were soon followed by others, including J. P. Cunningham and his wife Margaret, who homesteaded south of Spread Creek around 1886.
Land acquisition was governed by federal policies designed to populate the West. The most relevant were the Homestead Act of 1862 and the Desert Land Act of 1877. The Homestead Act allowed applicants (individuals over 21, heads of households, including unmarried women) to acquire 160 acres for a nominal filing fee, provided they lived on the land for five years, cultivated a minimum of 10 acres, and built a structure larger than 12x14 feet. Those who gave up their attempt to "prove up" often filed a relinquishment, making the partially developed land available for purchase, typically around $1.25 per acre. The move was often a family affair, such as the Wilson family, who moved from Utah in the 1890s, chronicled by Melvina Wilson Robertson, a family biographer who documented the isolation and daily life of these pioneers.
B. The Challenge of Isolation and Infrastructure
The initial phase of homesteading, particularly from 1890 to 1900, was characterized by "exceptional isolation". Basic infrastructure was nonexistent; the first families themselves had to fell the initial trees to create a route for their wagons over Teton Pass. Early homes were small, rudimentary log cabins, eventually yielding to larger, multi-room log houses.
Economic sustainability in this isolated environment required creativity and diversification. Ranchers often supplemented their income by taking jobs with the Forest Service or the Reclamation Service, such as working on the Jackson Lake Dam. Women played vital roles, running local post offices and teaching in community schools. The geographical isolation began to erode only with technological advancements in transportation. The Federal Highway Act of 1921 spurred the development of an interstate highway system, and subsequent gasoline taxes funded highway improvements. The advent of the automobile increased middle- and lower-class access to leisure travel, significantly reducing Jackson Hole’s insularity.
C. The Founding of the Town of Jackson and Notable Figures
The civic community coalesced relatively quickly. The Town of Jackson was officially named in 1894 and formally incorporated as a municipality in 1914. It was named after the fur trapper, David Edward Jackson, solidifying the link between the exploration era and the permanent settlement. The town later became the county seat of the newly established Teton County in 1921.
Among the prominent early figures was Geraldine Lucas, a remarkable female homesteader who settled south of Jenny Lake in 1913. Lucas actively defied tradition, returning to college as a single mother before settling in Jackson Hole. Her defiance of the norms extended to the nascent conservation movement; she became known for her staunch refusal to sell her land to the agents of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., famously demanding silver dollars "stacked up as high as the Grand Teton" before she would talk. Lucas also became the second woman to summit the Grand Teton in 1924 at the age of 58, guided by Paul Petzoldt. Her homestead, later acquired by Rockefeller's interests and preserved, remains a protected historic district, illustrating the potent conflict between private property rights and the national interest in conservation.
The gradual shift from subsistence ranching toward providing lodging and food for travelers—the beginning of dude ranching—was a necessary adaptation driven by the economic challenges of the 1920s. This pragmatic response set the stage for the pivotal conservation battle that would ultimately redefine the valley’s economic destiny.
V. The Great Conservation Conflict: Establishing Grand Teton National Park
The establishment of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) was not a singular event but a complex, decades-long political struggle characterized by conflict between local ranchers and powerful federal and philanthropic interests. This history is crucial, as the final boundaries of the park determine the acute scarcity of private land today.
A. Early Conservation Proposals and Vision
The idea of protecting the Jackson Hole area originated shortly after the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. As early as 1897, proposals were made to expand Yellowstone southward to encompass portions of northern Jackson Hole to protect crucial migrating elk herds. In the 1920s, Horace Albright, Superintendent of Yellowstone, developed the "Jackson Hole Plan," a vision for preserving the entire valley as a "museum on the hoof".
B. The Rockefeller Intervention and Land Acquisition
The political impasse was broken by the involvement of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who had visited the region as early as 1886 and was concerned about the visual blight of commercial development. Rockefeller committed to stewardship, utilizing his wealth for philanthropic and civic efforts.
To purchase land for the park expansion without triggering speculation or overt local opposition, Rockefeller operated through a proxy organization, the Snake River Land Company. He eventually acquired large tracts of land—ultimately donating 32,117 acres—to the federal government. This private philanthropic intervention was a tactical maneuver necessary to overcome the deeply entrenched local resistance from homesteaders who viewed park expansion as an infringement on their personal freedom and property rights.
C. The Multi-Phase Establishment (1929–1950)
Unlike the swift two-year creation of Yellowstone, GTNP evolved through a burdensome process requiring three distinct governmental acts and a series of compromises.
Phase I: The Mountains (1929): The original Grand Teton National Park was established by an Act of Congress in 1929. This initial park was geographically constrained, protecting only the Teton Range peaks and six glacial lakes at the base of the mountains.
Phase II: The National Monument Controversy (1943): Local animosity toward federal expansion remained intense. To circumvent Congressional opposition, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the Antiquities Act to issue a presidential proclamation in 1943, creating the Jackson Hole National Monument. This combined Rockefeller's donated lands, Teton National Forest acreage, and existing federal properties. The unilateral action spurred fierce backlash, demonstrating the fundamental conflict between Western property rights and conservation mandates.
Phase III: Unification (1950): The political impasse continued until a compromise was brokered. Rockefeller was finally prompted to convey his gift to the government in 1949. On September 14, 1950, President Harry Truman signed the legislation that united the 1929 Park and the 1943 Monument into the unified, present-day Grand Teton National Park.
The resulting park boundaries, secured by a combination of federal authority and immense private wealth, represented a watershed moment. By dedicating the majority of the scenic valley and the entire mountain range to permanent public use, the conservation efforts solidified the region's economic future: the highest and best use of the land was defined as non-consumptive, scenic tourism, thereby dramatically increasing the value of the few remaining private parcels within the valley floor.
VI. The Pivot to Recreation: The Evolution of Tourism Economics
With the fate of the landscape settled by conservation, Jackson Hole’s economic model shifted decisively away from resource extraction and agriculture and toward amenity-driven tourism, culminating in world-class winter recreation.
A. Dude Ranching: The Economic Bridge
The economic necessity of the 1920s agricultural depression prompted ranchers to seek alternative revenue streams. This led to the growth of dude ranching. Ranches such as Bar BC (established 1912) and White Grass (established 1919) offered food and shelter to weary travelers. These operations allowed ranchers to rely less on their harvests and more on the increasing number of tourists traveling through the valley, often on their way to Yellowstone. This trade captured the mystique of the cowboy lifestyle and the romance of the open plains, providing an authentic Western escape for urban visitors.
B. The Rise of Skiing: Snow King and the Local Market
While dude ranching catered to summer travelers, local entrepreneurs began cultivating the winter recreation market. Snow King Mountain, often called "the town hill," was the birthplace of organized skiing in the valley. In 1939, Neil Rafferty won a contract to build the first "uphill" facility—a cable tow powered by an old Ford tractor.
The Jackson Hole Winter Sports Association was formed in 1946, raising $40,000 from local investors to purchase and install a lift repurposed from a gold mining operation in Colorado. This lift carried over 8,500 people in its first full year, demonstrating the viability of dedicated ski infrastructure.
C. The Genesis of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR)
The true transformation into an international ski destination began with the vision of Paul McCollister, who first visited the valley in the 1950s and purchased land below Rendezvous Mountain in 1961. After commissioning a detailed study in 1963 that confirmed the location’s potential and assessed avalanche risks, McCollister formed the Jackson Hole Ski Corporation.
Construction commenced in the spring of 1964. JHMR immediately signaled its world-class ambitions with the 1966 opening of the original Aerial Tram. This engineering marvel could transport 63 people to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain in only nine minutes. This technological investment drastically reduced access time and opened up the valley's formidable, high-alpine terrain, fundamentally changing the scale of the winter economy. Further solidifying its status, JHMR hired Pepi Stiegler, the 1964 slalom gold medal winner, as ski school director and hosted the first national Powder 8 Championship in 1970. The 1971 descent of the Grand Teton by Bill Briggs marked another big mountain skiing landmark, further cementing the area’s extreme reputation.
The presence of the nationally protected landscape was crucial: the surrounding beauty, guaranteed by the creation of GTNP, provided the essential scenic capital that attracted the level of investment necessary for a world-class resort.
D. The Development of Teton Village
The base area for JHMR evolved into Teton Village, which developed into a focused center for destination tourism and high-end residential accommodation. Development in the 21st century set new standards for luxury resort hospitality, exemplified by projects like the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa (original development 1999–2002) and Hotel Terra (opened 2008). These developments, including a $16 million addition to the Teton Mountain Lodge, were category leaders that focused on melding luxury accommodation with slope-side access, further institutionalizing Jackson Hole’s reputation as an elite recreational hub.
VII. The Paradox of Prosperity: Contemporary Socio-Economic Dynamics
Jackson Hole now stands as an exemplar of the modern high-amenity, conservation-focused Western community. However, the economic success born from conservation and luxury tourism has created a profound socio-economic dilemma—a severe affordability crisis that threatens the viability of the community itself.
A. Tourism as the Economic Engine
The modern economy of Teton County is unequivocally driven by tourism. The industry is considered the "lifeblood" of the region, generating tax revenue that funds local services and infrastructure. The sheer economic scale is substantial: visitors to Wyoming's national parks contributed $1.2 billion in spending in 2024, resulting in a cumulative benefit of $1.5 billion to the state economy. This spending supports sectors such as lodging, which sees the highest direct economic output, and restaurants. The community supports year-round recreation, funding activities such as Nordic skiing and trail maintenance through organizations like the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance.
B. The Teton County Wealth Divide and Housing Crisis
The success of the luxury resort economy, combined with the stringent geographical constraints imposed by the surrounding public and national park lands, has resulted in an acute land scarcity crisis. This scarcity has led to hyper-inflated real estate values that are unattainable even for individuals considered wealthy in most other locations.
The consequence is a stark economic divide. Essential members of the workforce—including policemen, firefighters, teachers, and resort workers—cannot afford to reside in the community they serve. The economic data highlights the imbalance: the average monthly rent in Jackson is approximately $3,501. This is financially prohibitive for local educators, who might earn, on average, $45,000 per year ($3,075 per month). Similarly, firefighters (averaging $42k/year) and nurses (averaging $56k/year) face a struggle to afford housing costs that have been driven upward by external wealth seeking the exclusive amenity of the Teton landscape.
This affordability crisis is not merely a matter of high cost of living; it represents a modern conflict over resource access. The successful conservation effort—which set aside vast tracts of land (GTNP)—inadvertently restricted developable private land, acting as a massive financial multiplier on the remaining available parcels. This phenomenon concentrates market pressure onto a small area, ensuring that only the extremely affluent can afford to capture the value of the preserved scenery. The result is a community structure where the service infrastructure, labor, and public safety personnel are increasingly displaced from the core area, leading to long-term sustainability and operational challenges.
VIII. Comprehensive Data Synthesis and Historical Geography Conclusion
The history of the Jackson Hole region is a complex interplay of deep geological forces, cultural stewardship, economic exploitation, and rigorous environmental preservation. The narrative moves from a vast, inaccessible "hole" to a global luxury destination, driven at every stage by the intrinsic value of its geography.
The trajectory of the valley’s economic resource utilization is clearly defined:
Period
Dominant Economic Activity
Key Constraints/Challenges
Shifting Resource Value
Early 19th Century
Fur Trapping and Trade
Geographic isolation, severe climate.
Beaver pelts
Late 19th Century
Homesteading and Ranching
Lack of infrastructure (roads), agricultural depression (1920s).
Arable Land / Water Rights
Early 20th Century
Dude Ranching and Park Advocacy
Anti-Park local sentiment, need for supplemental income.
Scenic Views / Western Authenticity
Mid-20th Century
Conservation and Resort Development
Political controversy over land acquisition (Rockefeller).
Public Access / High-Altitude Recreation
Contemporary
High-End Tourism and Luxury Residence
Land scarcity, extreme wealth disparity, housing crisis.
Location / Scarcity / Vistas
The data confirms that the immense displacement that created the dramatic Teton skyline ultimately established the area's visual capital. The subsequent history details the systematic conversion of that capital: Indigenous utilization was replaced by extractive fur trading, which gave way to localized, subsistence ranching. When ranching became economically difficult in the 1920s, the economic model adapted to embrace tourism (dude ranches).
The definitive moment was the establishment of the unified Grand Teton National Park in 1950, which overcame decades of opposition via private philanthropy. This preservation policy secured the scenic integrity of the mountains and valley, thereby enabling the massive investment in recreation infrastructure, notably the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and its Aerial Tram. The preservation of the environment, initially intended as conservation, transformed into a powerful economic force that guarantees the exclusivity and luxury appeal of the region today.
The current challenge is a direct, unavoidable consequence of this successful historical path:
Table: The Modern Paradox: Socio-Economic Disparity in Teton County
Metric
Data Point/Condition
Implication for Community Sustainability
State Economic Benefit (Tourism)
$1.5 billion cumulative benefit to Wyoming (2024 estimate).
Confirms extreme economic reliance on protected natural resources.
Teton County Employment
Tourism supports 7.6% of total employment in Wyoming.
Tourism is the "lifeblood" of Teton County's infrastructure and services.
Average Monthly Rent
~$3,501/month (Jackson).
Unaffordable for the local, essential workforce.
Local Worker Income
Teachers: ~$45k/year; Firefighters: ~$42k/year.
Creates a stark wage/cost of living imbalance, leading to displacement.
Market Condition
Real estate costs "unaffordable to many," causing a "stark divide."
Service workers are priced out of the community they serve.
The current housing crisis represents the modern iteration of the fundamental land-use conflict that has defined the region since the arrival of homesteaders. The conflict has shifted from private property versus federal control to local labor versus external wealth, but the mechanism remains the same: the geographical limitations of the "hole" surrounded by protected public land ensure that external market forces will perpetually capture the finite resource of developable space. The sustainability of Jackson Hole depends on its ability to reconcile its identity as a global amenity with its responsibility to house the domestic workforce that makes that amenity functional.
Works cited
1. Geology of the Grand Teton area - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Grand_Teton_area 2. Associated Tribes - Grand Teton National Park (U.S. National Park Service), https://www.nps.gov/grte/getinvolved/associated-tribes.htm 3. History - Jackson, WY, https://www.jacksonwy.gov/202/History 4. Jackson Hole & The President Arthur Yellowstone Expedition of 1883, https://jacksonholehistory.org/learn/archives-research/jackson-hole-the-president-arthur-yellowstone-expedition-of-1883/ 5. The Tukudika Indians - National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/the-tukudika-indians.htm 6. Historic Tribes - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service), https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/historic-tribes.htm 7. Jackson Hole History, https://www.jacksonhole.com/history 8. Grand Teton NP: A Place Called Jackson Hole (Chapter 19) - National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/grte2/hrs19.htm 9. A Brief History of Jackson Hole, https://jacksonholehistory.org/learn/archives-research/a-history-of-jackson-hole/ 10. Homesteaders / Dude Ranching | Park History | Discover Grand Teton, https://www.discovergrandteton.org/park-history/homesteaders-dude-ranching/ 11. Homesteading in Jackson Hole, https://jacksonholehistory.org/learn/archives-research/homesteading-in-jackson-hole/ 12. First Families of Jackson Hole, https://jacksonholehistory.org/learn/archives-research/first-families-of-jackson-hole/ 13. This survey was financed in part with funds granted to the Teton County Historic Preservation Board from the National Park Servi, https://www.tetoncountywy.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2809/Teton-County-Historic-Hotel-Accommodations-Report-PDF 14. Jackson, Wyoming - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson,_Wyoming 15. Lucas-Fabian Homestead - Grand Teton National Park (U.S. National Park Service), https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/historyculture/lucas.htm 16. Geraldine Lucas, Female Homesteader - Intermountain Histories, https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/456 17. CREATION OF GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/creation.pdf 18. The Rockefeller Legacy: Philanthropy and Conservation - National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/Rockefeller_17-access.pdf 19. Creation of GTNP involved controversy, opposition - Buckrail, https://buckrail.com/creation-of-gtnp-involved-controversy-opposition/ 20. Jackson Hole: The Rich History of Our Beloved Community, https://kwjacksonhole.com/jackson-hole-the-rich-history-of-our-beloved-community/ 21. The West: Living the History of Jackson Hole, http://www.jacksonholetraveler.com/article/history-of-jackson-hole/ 22. Jackson WY Ski Resort History - Snow King Mountain Resort, https://snowkingmountain.com/discover-snow-king/snow-king-mountain-resort-history/ 23. Development Experience | Rob Deslauriers, Teton Village, https://robdeslauriers.com/experience/ 24. FY 2023 Annual Report - Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board, https://industry.visitjacksonhole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/69796-7_JH_2023_Annual_Report_REVISED_v7_LRnc.pdf 25. National park tourism in Wyoming contributes $1.5 billion to state economy, https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1072/national-park-tourism-in-wyoming-contributes-$1-5-billion-to-state-economy.htm 26. High real estate prices in Jackson, Wyoming, highlight stark divide - YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T81oxeaRPEM 27. Rich Vs Poor:. The Housing Crisis in Jackson Hole… | by Kaitlyn Jurney | Medium, https://medium.com/@kjurney/rich-vs-poor-66305049b2a2
AI GENERATED (always verify)
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
"Hundreds Brave the Bitter Cold in Wyoming to March Against Abortion -" LifeNews.com
https://www.lifenews.com/2026/01/19/hundreds-brave-the-bitter-cold-in-wyoming-to-march-against-abortion/
"
Hundreds of participants endured cold and windy conditions Saturday to join the annual Right to Life March in downtown Cheyenne, advocating for the protection of life from conception to natural death in the wake of a recent Wyoming Supreme Court decision striking down key pro-life laws..."
"Jackson Hole, WY, Pro Skier Dies in Backcountry Accident in Hakuba Valley, Japan"
" Emergency services were alerted by one of his companions around 3:30 p.m. on January 18 and were told the skier was stuck under a waterfall...
The skier was identified as Max Martin, a professional skier from Jackson, Wyoming. Martin was known for his background as a competitive ski racer, having competed on the NCAA Division I circuit with Plymouth State University earlier in his career. .."
https://share.newsbreak.com/gvyq4wa3
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Thursday, January 15, 2026
Friday, December 26, 2025
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Jackson hole is too warm in November? that's a new one ! "Another Major North American Ski Resort Delays Opening"
"Around two feet of snow has fallen at Jackson Hole's mid-mountain this month, but the mild weather has affected snowmaking, meaning there isn't enough snow to cover the slopes, and most of the natural snow has melted from warm temps. Many ski resorts rely heavily on snowmaking to open in November, depending on the year..."
https://share.newsbreak.com/g2wxbepw
https://share.newsbreak.com/g2wxbepw
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
"Working With Kenny Stabler: Wyoming Radio Man Recalls Wild Days With The Snake |" Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/23/the-snake-and-his-wingman-drove-wyomings-gritty-rise-in-sports-broadcasting/
"
One of the most infamous plays in NFL history is known as "The Holy Roller."
It was 1978 and Stabler was the starting quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. In a game against San Diego, Stabler fumbled the ball forward, which led to a game-winning touchdown for Oakland.
The NFL responded with the "Ken Stabler Rule," no longer allowing forward plays with a fumble. .."
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
"Trump Pardons Cheyenne Diesel Delete Mechanic Troy Lake | "
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/11/07/trump-pardons-cheyenne-diesel-delete-mechanic-troy-lake/
"
Lake said he started pacing his family home just outside of Cheyenne, his heart racing.
Then he wept.
"I don't guess men are supposed to do that," he said. "But it's great. It's news that, you know — I guess I look at it as, there are some good things that happen in the world."
Saturday, November 8, 2025
The Missionary's Story: The Magazine, The Mailbox, and The Miscarriage of Justice
ms.
📖 The Missionary's Story: The Magazine, The Mailbox, and The Miscarriage of Justice
The missionary took a necessary pause in the travel log on Thursday, September 16th, 2021, to record a story of a difficult family event that left lasting, negative implications, emphasizing the importance of truth and reputation.
The Incident in Jackson Hole (Circa 1990s)
During a summer stay at the PG's House in Jackson Hole, the missionary was asked by Aunt Mary to pick up the mail from the Post Office Box, as delivery was not made to the house. Among the collected items was, embarrassingly, a "girlie magazine" addressed to Cousin Tom.
Caption: A Spiritual Stewardship
The missionary, reflecting on personal Christian values—specifically the need to "avoid sins of the flesh"—took it upon Himself to hide the magazine from Tom, operating under the assumption that Tom might not notice or remember its expected arrival.
However, the assumed secret was quickly shattered. Later that same afternoon, the missionary heard a heated argument downstairs involving Cousin Tom, the special needs cousin Arnold, and Aunt Mary, all focused on the missing magazine. The missionary was the only one who had picked up the mail, making His involvement clear.
The central, troubling question for the missionary was, "WHY would they know it's coming that exact day, that's the question."
The missionary retrieved the magazine, which had not yet been discarded, and presented it. The missionary recalled that no explanation was given, and no preaching was done ("although I probably should have"). The missionary simply handed it over and walked away, and the immediate confrontation ended.
The False Narrative and Lasting Harm
The true harm from the incident arose from gossip. The missionary infers that Arnold (or perhaps Aunt Mary), whom the missionary felt "has always really hated me," began gossiping to the Beatrice & Lonny family (Uncle Warnock's brother and sister-in-law).
Caption: The Poison of Gossip
The core lie was a false narration implying that the missionary had taken the magazine for "His own self-gratification" rather than the true, Christian-motivated reason for taking it away to prevent sin. The missionary noted that this was impossible, as "By that time in life I was long past any kind of adolescent behavior such that kind implied by this incident."
The missionary was "never given a chance to explain," and the impact on reputation was immediate and severe. Beatrice's opinion of the missionary "dropped precipitously," to the point where "She wouldn't even talk to me."
The Missionary's Conclusion: A Setup?
The evidence—that the family knew the magazine was arriving that exact day and noticed its specific absence—led the missionary to a strong inference:
Blockquote:
"The fact that they knew the magazine was coming that day & noticed it missing actually led me to believe that this was a setup to see if I would take it so they could actually create a false narration that I had taken it for my own self-gratification even though that was NOT the truth. That was the only time Aunt Mary ever asked me to pick up the mail for them as well, before or after. So I just wanted to lay that out there and let people decide for themselves."
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. - Leviticus 19:16 (King James Version).
Modern-Day Example of Talebearing:
This verse condemns gossip and the spread of damaging stories, or talebearing, among the people of God.
The modern-day example is the devastating effect of the false narrative spread by the gossip after the magazine incident. The missionary's Christian-motivated act of stewardship was twisted into a claim of personal vice, permanently damaging the missionary's reputation with Beatrice. This illustrates how talebearing, even if subtly done or falsely implied, stands against the "blood of thy neighbour" by attacking their good name and virtue, causing emotional and relational harm, just as it did decades ago in the family setting.
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Monday, October 20, 2025
"Bison's mysterious new behavior foretells major shift across the US "| Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15199357/Bisons-new-behavior-foretells-major-shift-US.html
"
A six-year study using GPS collars, satellite imagery and field experiments found that these massive animals are retracing ancient migration routes, the same paths their ancestors followed long before human settlement reshaped the land....
The study highlights the critical role of large, free-ranging bison herds in maintaining ecosystem health, suggesting that restoring their ancient migratory patterns could revitalize landscapes across North America, reconnecting wildlife with the natural rhythms that shaped the continent for millennia. .."
Friday, October 17, 2025
Friday, October 10, 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Friday, September 26, 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
👍🇺🇸✝️"Wyoming Lawmaker Scott Smith Walks 3 Miles On Crutches To Get Seat At Charlie Kirk Funeral "
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/09/22/wyoming-legislator-walks-3-miles-on-crutches-to-get-seat-at-charlie-kirk-funeral/
"WY Rep. Scott Smith, who uses crutches due to a physical disability, walked nearly 3 miles to reach Charlie Kirk's funeral when traffic bottlenecked saying "The #1 takeaway (from the funeral) is your walk with Christ," ✝️🙏👍
Saturday, September 13, 2025
"Yellowstone’s Next Eruption: Flow Of Superheated Ooze, Not Humanity-Ending Explosion | "
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/09/07/yellowstones-next-eruption-will-be-a-massive-lava-flow-of-superheated-ooze/
"
When, or if, Yellowstone erupts again, it won't destroy Wyoming and bury the world in ash. Poland is confident it would manifest as a lava flow rather than an explosive eruption, and everyone will be able to go with the flow. . "
Monday, September 8, 2025
Monday, September 1, 2025
"Chocolate Lab Named Belle Saves Wyoming Man From Burning Trailer |" Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/08/09/chocolate-lab-named-belle-saves-wyoming-man-saved-from-burning-trailer/
"
John Lea of Powell was fast asleep after working a graveyard shift when his trailer home caught fire last week. He likely would have died in the blaze if not for his chocolate Lab Belle, who woke him up just in time to escape the growing flames..."
Friday, August 22, 2025
"Jerome Powell just told investors exactly what they wanted to hear at Jackson Hole"
https://www.newsbreak.com/markets-insider-562170/4190673899053-jerome-powell-just-told-investors-exactly-what-they-wanted-to-hear-at-jackson-hole
In his long-awaited Jackson Hole speech, the Fed chief indicated that the Fed was leaning toward a 25-basis-point rate cut at its September policy meeting.
This sent equities soaring, with gains hovering around 2% for each of the three main US indexes."
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
"NYC based CG Sawaya Partner banker Slava Leykind dies in Wyoming doing Mount Everest challenge"
https://nypost.com/2025/07/23/us-news/nyc-based-cg-sawaya-partner-banker-slava-leykind-dies-in-wyoming-doing-mount-everest-challenge/
"
Slava Leykind, 43, of Westport, Connecticut, went into cardiac arrest after competing in the event at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole late last month.
The endurance-style event sees hikers repeatedly trek 1,500 feet up the mountain to match climbing Mount Everest — the world's tallest peak at 29,032 feet.."
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Sunday, June 15, 2025
"When and Where To Hear Wolves Howling in Yellowstone | Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/06/02/when-and-where-to-hear-wolves-howling-in-yellowstone/
"
Crabtree said wolves are crepuscular, which means they're most active at dawn and dusk. Higher activity means a higher chance of howling.
"When they're active at dawn and dusk, there's an increase in howling," he said. "During the day, when it's warm, they're sleeping and aren't going to vocalize."
For the most part, wolves will howl just about any time they feel like it, but when they're raising and moving pups around, there's less howling," Camenzind said."
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Monday, June 9, 2025
Shame on Teton NP👎 "Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri facing prison for using trail bureaucrats secretly deemed off-limits"
Shame on Teton NP👎 "Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri facing prison for using trail bureaucrats secretly deemed off-limits"
https://share.newsbreak.com/dh4tmmgr
https://share.newsbreak.com/dh4tmmgr
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Monday, March 17, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
"Winter Surge Could Dump 20 Inches Of Snow On Parts Of Wyoming "| Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/03/05/winter-surge-could-dump-20-inches-of-snow-on-parts-of-wyoming/
"
Another surge of snow and cooler temperatures will hit Wyoming between Wednesday night and Friday afternoon. Every corner of the state will be affected to some degree, with as much as 20 inches of snow expected in the central and northwest mountains and more than a foot in Casper, Douglas and the rest of central Wyoming before it's over..."
Friday, March 7, 2025
"Wyoming Becomes 15th State To Enact Universal School Choice"
https://thefederalist.com/2025/03/05/wyoming-becomes-15th-state-to-enact-universal-school-choice/
"
The act grants families an education savings account of $7,000 per student per year to allocate toward approved K-12 educational expenses..."
Friday, February 21, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Friday, November 22, 2024
Shame on Judge Melissa Owens👎 "Wyoming Gov appalled as judge overturns pro-life law: ‘We give more respect to livestock’
https://www.liveaction.org/news/wyoming-judge-overturns-pro-life-law/
Shame on Judge Melissa Owens👎 "Wyoming Gov appalled as judge overturns pro-life law: 'We give more respect to livestock'
"Wyoming Governor Will Appeal Judge’s Ruling Blocking Abortion Ban -" LifeNews.com
https://www.lifenews.com/2024/11/21/wyoming-governor-will-appeal-judges-ruling-blocking-abortion-ban/
''
In March 2023, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a prohibition on chemical abortions, which are typically committed through a two-pill regimen of mifepristone and then misoprostol, and allowed the "Life is a Human Right Act" to go into effect. The "Life is a Human Right Act" prohibits all abortion in the state, with few exceptions. Both were supposed to go into effect immediately, but pro-abortion plaintiffs sued."
SAVE OUR BABIES !
Friday, October 25, 2024
Teton/Yellowstone 'World's most famous grizzly bear' killed by driver near national park" BAD DRIVER 👎
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/famous-grizzly-bear-killed-driver-grand-teton-19861090.php
There's no reason a bear should be killed by a driver in Teton /Yellowstone unless you're just driving too fast without awareness of your surroundings
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Monday, October 14, 2024
Friday, October 11, 2024
"Gap Pucci, Wyoming’s Spaghetti Western Cowboy,…" | Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/10/10/gap-pucci-wyomings-spaghetti-western-cowboy-dead-at-89/
"
Gap Pucci, a unique spaghetti Western cowboy and hunting guide, lived the Wyoming lifestyle he loved. He died Monday at age 89. He told Cowboy State Daily earlier this year he imagined Heaven as a place "with all the good horses I ever rode."
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Zuck buck group targeting 🎯 WY ⁉️ even after zuck said no more ?
https://12ft.io/proxy
Zuck buck group
targeting 🎯 WY ⁉️
even after zuck said no more ?
"While arguably one of the "reddest" jurisdictions in the country, Wyoming has failed to follow the lead of 28 other states in banning or restricting the use of "Zuckbucks" in elections. In a separate letter issued last year, Gray asked state lawmakers to fast track legislation during the state's 2024 budget session to prohibit private election funding in Wyoming."
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Friday, August 23, 2024
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
JH "The booming mountain town dubbed the 'new Aspen' where homebuyers are getting nervous |" Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13694393/new-aspen-mountain-town-homes-million.html
" millionaires once accused of ruining the gorgeous town in Wyoming complained that they are now being driven out of the area by billionaires..."
Monday, August 12, 2024
"Harris VP Pick "Horrible For America, Horrible… |" Cowboy State Daily
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/08/07/harris-vp-pick-walz-could-push-more-aggressive-green-grid-energy-policies/
"
During his tenure as governor, Walz placed his state on track to transition to "clean" energy even faster than California, which for decades has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change.
In 2023, Walz signed a law requiring Minnesota to generate or buy all its electricity from wind, solar and other carbon-free sources by 2040..."
Friday, August 9, 2024
Deirdre Griffith of Jackson is the first WY woman to win the Mongol Derby, a 620-mile horse race across Mongolia.
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/08/07/former-mongol-derby-winner-cheers-on-powell-rider-in-worlds-toughest-horse/
"Deirdre Griffith of Jackson, Wyoming, became the first Wyoming woman to win the grueling Mongol Derby, a 620-mile horse race across Mongolia. Although she won in 2022,..."
Monday, August 5, 2024
Condolences ✝️💜🙏"Casper Wyoming teen Bobby Maher was killed protecting girlfriend was held down, stabbed"
https://nypost.com/2024/06/27/us-news/wyo-teen-killed-protecting-girlfriend-was-held-down-and-stabbed/
Dominique Antonio Richard Harris is on trial for murder along with one other
Friday, July 26, 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
"Update on the July 23 Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service")
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/240723.htm
"Yellowstone National Park has closed Biscuit Basin for the remainder of the 2024 season for visitor safety..."
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Monday, June 24, 2024
"Landslide closed the Teton Pass. Why and when will it reopen? |" Idaho Statesman
"Landslide closed the Teton Pass. Why and when will it reopen? | Idaho Statesman" https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/traffic/article289153879.html
"Teton Pass closure means different things for Jackson area businesses" | Wyoming Public Media
"A section of Wyoming Highway 22 over Teton Pass catastrophically failed on June 8, disconnecting the tourist destination of Jackson from a sizable chunk of its workforce. .."
6.18.24 "Teton Pass Could Be Paved And Re-Open By Middle next week"| Cowboy State Daily
"Teton Pass Could Be Paved And Re-Open By Middle… | Cowboy State Daily" https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/06/18/teton-pass-temporary-fix-could-be-paved-and-re-open-by-middle-of-next-week/
Reclamation Road "There’s A Secret Road From Idaho To Jackson, But… "| Cowboy State Daily
"There's A Secret Road From Idaho To Jackson, But… | Cowboy State Daily" https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/06/12/theres-a-secret-road-from-idaho-to-jackson-but-youll-probably-need-a-jeep/
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
"Skiing On Memorial Day Weekend in Wyoming? Absolutely. "| Your Wyoming News Source
"have a propensity for going to foolhardy lengths to pursue skiing. In 2023, I flew out to California in mid-July to get a couple days in at a ski area that was still open there. Last year, I also managed to ski all 12 months, a streak that's been extended to 17 months so far in 2024..."
Monday, May 27, 2024
"Veteran Describes Grizzly Bear Attack as ‘Most Violent’ Experience Ever - "
"bear bit at Mr. Burke's neck, but his hands and arms were still interlocked behind it and, crucially, he had grabbed a can of bear spray when he saw the cub.
"I never let go of the bear spray can," he wrote. "As she bit my hands in the back of my neck she simultaneously bit the bear spray can and it exploded in her mouth."
The explosion scared the bear away..."
Monday, May 13, 2024
Friday, May 3, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
SHAME on Wyoming GOP Governor👎 "Vetoes Bill to Require Proof of Residency to Vote - "
Whats happened to WY ⁉️
" GOP Governor Mark Gordon VETOES Bill to Require PROOF of Residency to Vote "👎
U think? " WY Secretary of State Says He is "Enabling Biden & The Most Radical LEFTISTS in America Who are Trying to Help Illegal Immigrants Vote"
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/04/rino-wyoming-governor-vetoes-bill-require-proof-residency/
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Wyoming Girl Scout, 13, Fined $400 For Selling Cookies | SHAME on Mayor Matt Murdok & his officer 👎😡
SHAME on Mayor Matt Murdok
& his officer 👎😡
"You can't sell within the WYDOT right of way," Pinedale Mayor Matt Murdock told Cowboy State Daily."
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Monday, April 15, 2024
Why are the Chinese breaking toilet seats at Yellowstone
"In 2015, a dozen of the 42 vault toilet seats in Grand Teton were broken. In addition, used toilet paper was often left discarded on many restroom floors instead of being flushed or dropped into the toilet bowl.
It took a while, but park authorities finally figured out what was happening when they began finding shoe prints on toilet seats.
Chinese tourists, for the most part, were responsible. They do their business squatting, so they'd stand on the seats to squat and break them. Also, sewer systems in China are not equipped to handle bulk like toilet paper so the Chinese are adverse to flushing TP.."
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