Conservation | Park History | Discover Grand Teton

1923 Close

Meeting at Maud Noble’s cabin to discuss preserving the regions “Old West” character

Struthers Burt, Maude Noble, J. P. Cunningham, Si Ferrin and others work to preserve the region's "Old West character," proposing the creation of a national recreation area. Their efforts led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park in 1929.

1923 Close

Eleanor Davis makes the first ascent of the Grand Teton by a woman

Other first ascents in the Tetons in 1923 included the first ascent of Middle Teton (by Albert R. Ellingwood) and South Teton (by Albert R. Ellingwood and Eleanor Davis).

1924 Close

Paul Petzoldt makes four ascents of the Grand Teton; starts first guide service in the Tetons

Geraldine Lucas is one client, a retired schoolteacher and local homesteader. At age 58, she becomes the second woman to climb the Grand Teton.

1925 Close

Lee Manges homesteads at Windy Point

Lee Manges homesteads at Windy Point. His cabin is later moved to South Jenny Lake becoming the Jenny Lake Ranger Station and Museum.

1925 Close

One of the largest landslides in historic times produced the Gros Ventre slide

This slide dams the Gros Ventre River creating Lower Slide Lake. This natural dam fails in 1927 flooding the town of Kelly, causing much property damage and killing six people. The flood spreads across the valley leaving water standing in Wilson at the base of Teton Pass. (Photo credit: USGS)

1925 Close

Theodore Teepe becomes the first climbing fatality in the Teton Range

1926 Close

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. tours Grand Teton National Park for the first time

Rockefeller forms the Snake River Land Company in 1928 to purchase land in Jackson Hole. The company eventually purchases 35,000 acres of land that it later donates to the National Park Service.

1927 Close

Olaus Murie begins a long term study of elk in Jackson Hole

Based on the results of his field research on elk movement through the ecosystem, Olaus lobbies for an expansion of Grand Teton National Park to allow for the free migration of elk through Jackson Hole. Photo credit: USFWS

1927 Close

Fred and Eva Topping establish the Moose Head Ranch

1927 Close

Leek’s Camp established which later becomes Leek’s Marina

1927 Close

A new steel bridge is build at Moose making Menor’s Ferry obsolete

1928 Close

Conservation 1923-1928

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

Meeting at Maud Noble’s cabin to discuss preserving the regions “Old West” character

Eleanor Davis makes the first ascent of the Grand Teton by a woman

Paul Petzoldt makes four ascents of the Grand Teton; starts first guide service in the Tetons

Lee Manges homesteads at Windy Point

One of the largest landslides in historic times produced the Gros Ventre slide

Theodore Teepe becomes the first climbing fatality in the Teton Range

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. tours Grand Teton National Park for the first time

Olaus Murie begins a long term study of elk in Jackson Hole

Fred and Eva Topping establish the Moose Head Ranch

Leek’s Camp established which later becomes Leek’s Marina

A new steel bridge is build at Moose making Menor’s Ferry obsolete

Flying V, established as a dude ranch, later becomes Teton Science Schools' Kelly campus

Conservation 1923-1928

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

Meeting at Maud Noble’s cabin to discuss preserving the regions “Old West” character

Eleanor Davis makes the first ascent of the Grand Teton by a woman

Paul Petzoldt makes four ascents of the Grand Teton; starts first guide service in the Tetons

Lee Manges homesteads at Windy Point

One of the largest landslides in historic times produced the Gros Ventre slide

Theodore Teepe becomes the first climbing fatality in the Teton Range

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. tours Grand Teton National Park for the first time

Olaus Murie begins a long term study of elk in Jackson Hole

Fred and Eva Topping establish the Moose Head Ranch

Leek’s Camp established which later becomes Leek’s Marina

A new steel bridge is build at Moose making Menor’s Ferry obsolete

Flying V, established as a dude ranch, later becomes Teton Science Schools' Kelly campus

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