History of Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton has a long history! Here are the highlights:

1. Grand Teton was home to Native Americans 11,000 years ago.
2. Grand Teton was established two times. The first time was in 1929 and the second time was in 1950.
3. One of the reasons the park was created to protect migrating herds of elk.
4.The first proposal to form the park was made in 1897 by the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. His and many other proposals were declined, until Senator John Kendrick's bill was approved and the park was created in 1929.
5.Many people, including local businessmen and sheep ranchers, were opposed to the park at first. They finally agreed to the creation of Grand Teton when there were proposals to turn lakes near their homes and businesses into dams. A national park was the only way to avoid this.
6.The park was only 96,000 acres at first. In 1943, the Jackson Hole National Monument was created. It increased the park's size to 310,000 acres.