Jackson Hole National Monument
Jackson Hole National Monument is a protected area located in the scenic valley adjacent to the Teton Range in Wyoming. Established on March 15, 1943, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the monument was created after philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated 35,000 acres to help protect the region, which faced numerous legal challenges and local opposition. The initial establishment aimed to expand the adjacent Grand Teton National Park, which at that time only included the Teton Range and several lakes. Over the years, there were significant legal and political struggles regarding the conservation of the area, with some landowners contesting the monument's creation. Ultimately, on September 14, 1950, President Harry S. Truman signed legislation that incorporated most of Jackson Hole National Monument into Grand Teton National Park, further solidifying efforts to preserve this culturally and ecologically significant landscape. The area's rich history and stunning natural beauty continue to attract visitors and conservationists alike, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around land use and preservation.
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Jackson Hole National Monument
Identification New national monument
Date Established on March 15, 1943
Place Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The creation of Jackson Hole National Monument served to protect a valley of exceptional natural beauty from commercial development.
Jackson Hole is the scenic valley bordering the east side of the dramatic Teton Range. Through the years, attempts were made to add this region to Grand Teton National Park. Established in 1929, the park itself included only the Teton Range and six adjacent lakes. However, many local residents and ranchers were against enlarging the park.
Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., visited the area during the 1920’s, and had become concerned about its protection. He eventually purchased 35,000 acres in the region, planning to give this land to the federal government to expand Grand Teton National Park. For years, legal actions blocked his efforts. Finally, at the urging of Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, and using powers granted him by the Antiquities Act of 1906, President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the gift for the park service and declared the valley Jackson Hole National Monument on March 15, 1943. Legal challenges were finally resolved by the end of the decade.
Impact
Although a coalition of landowners attempted to block the monument’s creation, Roosevelt was successful. Congress passed a bill abolishing the monument, but the president vetoed it. On September 14, 1950, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill that merged most of Jackson Hole National Monument with Grand Teton National Park.
Bibliography
Butcher, Devereux. Exploring Our National Parks and Monuments. Boulder, Colo.: Roberts Rinehart, 1995.
Harmsen, Debbie, and Michael Nalepa, eds. The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West. New York: Fodor’s Travel Publications, 2007.
Tilden, Freeman. The National Parks. 3d ed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986.