National Park Era | Park History | Discover Grand Teton

1929 Close

Congress creates Grand Teton National Park

When Congress creates Grand Teton National Park in 1929, it protects the Teton Range and the mountain lakes along its base (Phelps, Taggart, Bradley, Jenny and Leigh). The original park does not protect the valley of Jackson Hole. A part of Jackson Hole is added to the park in 1950.

1930 Close

Lee Manges’ cabin is moved to Jenny Lake to function as the park’s first ranger station

1931 Close

Map of Grand Teton National Park

First printed in 1901, this map is later overprinted with the boundaries of the newly created Grand Teton National Park in 1931

Download Download Map | 4.6 MB

1931 Close

Glen Exum makes a solo ascent of the Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton

As a new guide working for Paul Petzoldt, Glen Exum makes a spectacular leap across a gap in a ledge in order to climb the ridge that now bears his name.

1931 Close

The new park issues permits for concession operations at Jenny Lake

Charles Wort rents boats and A. C. Lyon operates a saddle horse operation. Harrison Crandall moves his rustic log studio to South Jenny Lake where he sells photographs and paintings into the 1950s.

1933-1942 Close

Civilian Conservation Corps worked on park improvement projects

The Civilian Conservation Corps clears dead, drowned trees from Jackson Lake, builds trails, improves campgrounds and constructs buildings for the new park headquarters during the great depression. These projects greatly expand facilities in the park.

1943 Close

President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates Jackson Hole National Monument

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues proclamation establishing Jackson Hole National Monument. The monument includes 32,000 acres of land that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. later donates to include in Grand Teton National Park.

1945 Close

The Muries (Olaus and Mardy Murie, and Adolph and Louise Murie) purchase STS Ranch

Olaus Murie directs the Wilderness Society and, along with Mardy, works on wilderness legislation including the Wilderness Act of 1964 and an act to create the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Adolph and Louise continue to work on their ecological studies.

1945 Close

Cattle ranching declines as tourism becomes the economic mainstay of Jackson Hole

1945 Close

Map of Grand Teton National Park

This map shows the park boundaries established in 1929, but does not show the 1950 boundaries, that will be in place five years later, when the park is enlarged.

Download Download Map | 3.6 mb

1946 Close

Commercial air service begins in Jackson Hole

1948 Close

Map of Grand Teton National Park

This map shows the modern boundaries of Grand Teton National Park before they had been enacted. The map also shows the proposed Jackson Hole Highway.

Download Download Map | 3.6 mb

1950 Close

Congress passes legislation enlarging Grand Teton National Park

Congress passes legislation merging the original Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole National Monument.

National Park Era 1929-1950

Prehistoric Indians
14,000-500 years ago

Fur Trappers
1800-1859

Explorers
1860-1879

Homesteaders / Dude Ranching
1880-1922

Conservation
1923-1928

National Park Era
1929-1950

Tourists and a Modern Park
1950-present

Congress creates Grand Teton National Park

Lee Manges’ cabin is moved to Jenny Lake to function as the park’s first ranger station

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Glen Exum makes a solo ascent of the Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton

The new park issues permits for concession operations at Jenny Lake

Civilian Conservation Corps worked on park improvement projects

President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates Jackson Hole National Monument

The Muries (Olaus and Mardy Murie, and Adolph and Louise Murie) purchase STS Ranch

Cattle ranching declines as tourism becomes the economic mainstay of Jackson Hole

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Commercial air service begins in Jackson Hole

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Congress passes legislation enlarging Grand Teton National Park

National Park Era 1929-1950

Prehistoric Indians14,000-500 years ago

Fur Trappers1800-1859

Explorers1860-1879

Homesteaders / Dude Ranching1880-1922

Conservation1923-1928

National Park Era1929-1950

Tourists and a Modern Park1950-present

Congress creates Grand Teton National Park

Lee Manges’ cabin is moved to Jenny Lake to function as the park’s first ranger station

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Glen Exum makes a solo ascent of the Exum Ridge of the Grand Teton

The new park issues permits for concession operations at Jenny Lake

Civilian Conservation Corps worked on park improvement projects

President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates Jackson Hole National Monument

The Muries (Olaus and Mardy Murie, and Adolph and Louise Murie) purchase STS Ranch

Cattle ranching declines as tourism becomes the economic mainstay of Jackson Hole

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Commercial air service begins in Jackson Hole

Map of Grand Teton National Park

Congress passes legislation enlarging Grand Teton National Park

Prehistoric Indians
14,000-500 years ago

Fur Trappers
1800-1859

Explorers
1860-1879

Homesteaders / Dude Ranching
1880-1922

Conservation
1923-1928

National Park Era
1929-1950

Tourists and a Modern Park
1950-present