| Grand Teton National Park | |
History and Geology:
People entered Jackson Hole an estimated 12,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that small groups hunted and gathered plants in the valley from 5,000 to 500 years ago. During historic times no one tribe claimed ownership to Jackson Hole, but Blackfeet, Crow, Gros Ventre, Shoshone, and other Native Americans living on surrounding lands used this neutral valley during the warm months.
John Colter, allegedly was the first white man in the valley, entering in the winter of 1807-1808. Mountain men followed and trapped valley beaver. Valley settlement began in 1884. The original Grand Teton National Park, set aside by an act of Congress in 1929, included only the Teton Range and six glacial lakes at the base of the mountains. The Jackson Hole National Monument, decreed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt through presidential proclamation in 1943, combined Teton National Forest acreage, other federal properties including Jackson Lake and a generous 35,000-acre donation by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The Rockefeller lands continued to be privately held until December 16, 1949 when impasse for addition to the national park was resolved.
On September 14, 1950, the original 1929 Park and the 1943 National Monument (including Rockefeller's donation) were united into a "New" Grand Teton National Park, creating present-day boundaries.
Cultural History
Learn about Menor's Ferry, which became a vital crossing for the early settlers of Jackson Hole Valley.Campfire Tales of Jackson Hole
This book of stories was first published by the Grand Teton Natural History Association in 1960. It is available online here on the National Park Service history website.The Creation of Grand Teton National Park
Thumbnail history of the park, including the controversy and struggle that nearly derailed its establishment.
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Grand Teton National Park |
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