Jackson Hole History, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is actually the name of a deep valley, formed between the Teton Range and Gross Ventre Range in Northern Wyoming. With its low accessibility and plenty of lakes and creeks, the valley represents the ideal habitat for beaver and big mammals as elk and moose. Although it was long known by the Native Americans and archeological evidence indicates human presence in the valley even 12000 years ago, Jackson Hole history officially begins with its first mentioning in the travel journals of John Colter, a former member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. There were the beaver trappers who started to explore the Jackson Hole area during the first decades of the 19th century. It is generally accepted that the valley’s name comes from David Edward Jackson, a beaver hunter himself: it initially meant ‘Jackson’s Valley’, as the word ‘hole’ meant ‘deep valley’ in trappers jargon.

Jackson Hole History-First Settlers and National Parks

The valley continued to represent a hunting ground until the beaver was no longer in fashion. The so-called ‘homesteaders’ (from the Homestead Act, 1862) arrived in the valley later than in other regions, due to the low accessibility and the harsh climate. John Holland and John and Millie Carns remained in Jackson Hole’s history as the first farmers in the area. Another interesting historic fact related to Jackson (the main town in Jackson Hole) is the election, in 1920, of a town council formed entirely by women. For some decades, farming continued to represent the main activity around Jackson, until the locals came to realize tourism was far more profitable. So farmers became to supplement their close to nothing venues from agriculture by guiding hunters and tourists in the mountains. When Yellowstone National Park, then Grand Teton National Park (1929) was created, Jackson Hole’s economy boosted. In 1910, the US government decided to support farming in this part of Wyoming and bought a large piece of land where elks would find shelter and food during winter – it later became the National Elk Refuge (1912).

Jackson Hole Today

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the most beautiful and popular ski resorts in the Rockies. There are many famous people residing in Jackson, like Harrison Ford, Sandra Bullock and Tiger Woods – to name just a few. The impressive peaks of the Tetons represented the filming location for many western movies and now attract even more visitors. Jackson is not only a gate to the breathtaking splendor of the Grand Teton, it is itself a high-class destination for anyone in love with outdoor activities. The Jackson Hole airfare deals and the Jackson Hole vacation deals will help you plan an unforgetable escape.

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• Ski and have fun in Jackson Hole, WY
  review by lindamura posted more then 30 days ago
  Not further than 57 miles from Yellowstone National Park, Jakson Hole has found a way to become a successful resort town while managing to keep part of its past image away from being too touristy. You can still see glimpses of the genuine town. In the beginning it was a settlement for fur...

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