Fur Trappers | Park History | Discover Grand Teton

1807-1808 Close

John Colter explores the region and perhaps enters Jackson Hole

Manuel Lisa sends John Colter to bring Indians to trade at Lisa’s newly constructed fort at the mouth of the Bighorn River. During the winter of 1807-1808, Colter travels more than 500 miles and may have been the first non-Indian to enter Jackson Hole.

1810-1811 Close

The first fur trappers enter Jackson Hole

The first fur trappers, led by Andrew Henry, enter Jackson Hole to trap beaver in 1810 and 1811. This group includes John Hoback, Edward Robinson and Jacob Reznor. They met the Astorians, led by Wilson Price Hunt, traveling west up the Missouri River.

1811 Close

Wilson Price Hunt, Robert Stuart and the "Astorians" enter Jackson Hole

1811-1812 Close

The mountains are named "Les Trois Tetons"

"The most remarkable heights in the great backbone of America are three elevated, insular mountains which are seen at a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, aptly designated as the Pilot Knobs" (known as the Three Tetons). -Alexander Ross (Photo: USGS, W.H. Jackson)

1814 Close

Lewis and Clark map showing John Colter’s route

John Colter may have been the first non-Indian to enter Jackson Hole. This map, published in 1814, shows Colter’s route.

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1813-1821 Close

War of 1812 disrupts fur trade; few trappers enter Jackson Hole

1821 Close

The British firms the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company merge

1824-1826 Close

Numerous trappers trap the waters of Jackson Hole and the Tetons

These trappers include Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, Eteinne Provost, David E. Jackson, Thomas Fitzpatrick, William Sublette, Milton Sublette, Robert Cambell, Jim Beckwourth and Daniel Potts. Hudson’s Bay trappers also trap in this region.

1825 Close

The first mountain rendezvous of trappers is held on Henry’s Fork of the Green River

1826 Close

General William H. Ashley of the Missouri Fur Co. sells out to Smith, Jackson and Sublette

Jedediah Smith explores the West to California, David (Davey) Jackson leads trapper brigades and William Sublette transports furs to St. Louis and supplies to the mountains.

1829 Close

Jackson’s Hole named for David E. Jackson by William Sublette

1830 Close

Smith, Jackson and Sublette sell out to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company

The new company consists of Jim Bridger, Tomas Fitzpatrick, Milton Sublette, Henry Fraeb and Baptiste Gervais. By this time trappers regularly travel through and trap in Jackson Hole.

1832 Close

Battle of Pierre’s Hole follows Pierre’s Hole rendezvous

The Pierre’s Hole rendezvous includes a gathering of fur trappers, Nez Perce and Flathead Indians. As the gathering breaks up, some of the group encounters a band group of Gros Ventre Indians. The battle of Pierre’s Hole ensues resulting in the deaths of Gros Ventres, Flatheads and trappers.

1834 Close

William Sublette builds Fort Laramie; Nathaniel Wyeth builds Fort Hall

1835 Close

Samuel Parker and Markus Whitman go west to establish missions among the Indians

1838 Close

Samuel Parker Map of Oregon Territory

This map depicts the West as it was known in 1838. In the next decade, thousands of emigrants pass through this region on their way to Oregon, California and Utah.

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1841 Close

Thomas Fitzpatrick, a former fur trapper, guides first emigrant wagon train to Oregon

1840 Close

The fur trade starts to show signs of decline with the last rendezvous

1850-1859 Close

Few trappers visit Jackson Hole; the region is still used by Indians

1852 Close

Map of Western US

Historic maps are often good guides to changes that occur on the landscape. Compare the region around the Three Tetons on this map with the 1838 Map of Oregon Territory.

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Fur Trappers 1800-1859

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

John Colter explores the region and perhaps enters Jackson Hole

The first fur trappers enter Jackson Hole

Wilson Price Hunt, Robert Stuart and the "Astorians" enter Jackson Hole

The mountains are named "Les Trois Tetons"

Lewis and Clark map showing John Colter’s route

War of 1812 disrupts fur trade; few trappers enter Jackson Hole

The British firms the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company merge

Numerous trappers trap the waters of Jackson Hole and the Tetons

The first mountain rendezvous of trappers is held on Henry’s Fork of the Green River

General William H. Ashley of the Missouri Fur Co. sells out to Smith, Jackson and Sublette

Jackson’s Hole named for David E. Jackson by William Sublette

Smith, Jackson and Sublette sell out to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company

Battle of Pierre’s Hole follows Pierre’s Hole rendezvous

William Sublette builds Fort Laramie; Nathaniel Wyeth builds Fort Hall

Samuel Parker and Markus Whitman go west to establish missions among the Indians

Samuel Parker Map of Oregon Territory

Thomas Fitzpatrick, a former fur trapper, guides first emigrant wagon train to Oregon

The fur trade starts to show signs of decline with the last rendezvous

Few trappers visit Jackson Hole; the region is still used by Indians

Map of Western US

Fur Trappers 1800-1859

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

John Colter explores the region and perhaps enters Jackson Hole

The first fur trappers enter Jackson Hole

Wilson Price Hunt, Robert Stuart and the "Astorians" enter Jackson Hole

The mountains are named "Les Trois Tetons"

Lewis and Clark map showing John Colter’s route

War of 1812 disrupts fur trade; few trappers enter Jackson Hole

The British firms the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company merge

Numerous trappers trap the waters of Jackson Hole and the Tetons

The first mountain rendezvous of trappers is held on Henry’s Fork of the Green River

General William H. Ashley of the Missouri Fur Co. sells out to Smith, Jackson and Sublette

Jackson’s Hole named for David E. Jackson by William Sublette

Smith, Jackson and Sublette sell out to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company

Battle of Pierre’s Hole follows Pierre’s Hole rendezvous

William Sublette builds Fort Laramie; Nathaniel Wyeth builds Fort Hall

Samuel Parker and Markus Whitman go west to establish missions among the Indians

Samuel Parker Map of Oregon Territory

Thomas Fitzpatrick, a former fur trapper, guides first emigrant wagon train to Oregon

The fur trade starts to show signs of decline with the last rendezvous

Few trappers visit Jackson Hole; the region is still used by Indians

Map of Western US

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