A replica hunting camp. Apparently, hunters and trappers carelessly killed almost 40,000 bison and the entire population of wolves around 1900. Both species had to become "protected" in order to rebuild their populations to current levels. Wolves were only reintroduced into the area in the 1990s, and once again are causing trouble for local ranchers by killing cattle and elk.
Jackson Hole was home to some of America's first guest dude ranches.
From here, I walked a few blocks to the Mercill Archeology Center.
This stratigraphy wall above shows layers of earth from current times going back 13,000 years to the Paleo-indian times. Examples of artifacts and bones that have been unearthed locally are shown in each layer. Points from the various periods are also placed in an exhibit. Once again, fascinating....
Finally, I walked a few more blocks to visit the 3rd Historical Society Museum, dedicated to the Indians of the Greater Yellowstone. Mostly Shoshone and Crow, they existed here for thousands of years, living peacefully with the bison, wolves and later fur traders and settlers.
There was an exhibit devoted to their trading beads, showing how they evolved from local materials to things like copper and glass from far away regions of the world, including Russia, China, Canada and beyond.
There were cases with tools, arrow heads/points, elaborately beaded clothing, hunting gear and head dresses, tipis (tee pees), and even a big horn sheep trap, cleverly placed to catch sheep that were driven and herded into it, then clubbed in the head and used for their horns, skins and meat.
The Indians revered and respected the animals and their spirits and medicinal qualities.
Horns of bighorn rams were used to make prized and highly traded bows.
After getting my local history fix, I headed to the town square to see Old West Days activities and enjoy a few cold, locally brewed beers at Brewfest. There are antler arches on all four corners of the square and a bronze statue at the center.
Statue below of John Colter, from Wikipedia:
John Colter (c.1774 – May 7, 1812 or November 22, 1813) was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806). Though party to one of the more famous expeditions in history, Colter is best remembered for explorations he made during the winter of 1807–1808, when he became the first known person, of European descent, to enter the region, which became Yellowstone National Park, and to see the Teton Mountain Range. Colter spent months alone in the wilderness, and is widely considered to be the first mountain man.
Stage coach rides... $6
An ID gets you a wrist band, and it's $5 for a souvenir mug. Tastings (3 oz) cost a $1 token. I'm not sure if it's just strong IPA beers or the altitude, but 3-4 was all I could handle. No really!
Afterwards, I headed back to the ranch and had it all to myself for a few hours since the entire crew was still at Brewfest ;) I heated up some ribs, pasta and green bean leftovers from last night, grabbed the local newspaper and had a late lunch on the front porch of the lodge. Another perfect day!
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