Jackson, Wyoming, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the entire state. It is particularly regarded among the nation’s many enthusiastic alpinists, who arrive every year to stroll through the neighboring Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Yet, the region’s history is quite diverse, as people have visited the region for thousands of years. For centuries, various bands of Native Americans inhabited the locale, including the likes of the Shoshoni, the Blackfoot, the Arapaho, the Crow, and the Nez Perce. Yet, the first Euro-American to set foot upon the land was explorer and fur trapper John Coulter. (Interestingly, he had been a member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition). Inspired by rumors of its plentiful game, Coulter traveled to the area in the winter of 1807. He was immediately impressed with the many animals that called the region home—specifically its dense beaver population—and heavily recorded his findings for others to review. American fur trappers quickly flooded the region, including the likes of David Edward Jackson and the great John Jacob Astor. In fact, it was Astor himself who gave Grand Teton National Park’s iconic “Pilot Knobs” mountain chain their name. (David Edward Jackson left his mark on the region, too, naming the large lake at the center of today’s Grand Teton National Park “Jackson Lake.” The surrounding valley soon became known as “Jackson Hole Valley, as well.) The federal government made it increasingly easier for fur trappers and other frontiersmen to work in the area through the landmark Homestead Act of 1862. The law allowed for interested settlers to claim 160, so long as the tenants constructed some kind of dwelling. Many trappers eventually brought their own families west, as such, encouraged that the territory could finally grant them a permanent home. In 1888, the family of Martin and Berthe Nelson became the first people to permanently settle the site of present-day Jackson, although other individuals had started to raise rudimentary homesteads in the surrounding countryside a few years prior. The Nelsons were eventually joined by a wagon train of Mormon immigrants, as well as a few other disparate travelers (including the Wort family).

By the early 1890s, enough people had congregated around the area that they formally created a small village known as “Maryscale.” The residents had named the community after the local postmistress, Mary White. But when Maggie Simpson assumed the role shortly thereafter, she took it upon herself to change its name to “Jackson” in honor of trapper David Edward Jackson. In its early years, the relative remoteness of Jackson attracted scores of bandits and desperados, immersing the town in the atmosphere of the Old American West. But as the 20th century dawned, the community became more sanguine and pastoral in nature. Ranching gradually replaced fur trapping as the predominant industry, but it was quickly joined by an equally prosperous tourist economy. Recreational travelers had originally started to visit the locale around the time Jackson was founded, in order to explore the newly created Yellowstone National Park (circa 1872). The opening of Grand Teton National Park five decades later further incentivized additional travel out to Jackson, solidifying the town’s reputation as a hamlet for outdoor adventurers. Increasing numbers of visitors passed through Jackson, inspiring several ranchers to convert their properties into temporary lodgings known as “dude ranches.” (Many referred to the guests as “dudes,” hence the origin of the term.) Originally hostile to the idea of the dude ranch, many residents began operating them as a means to keep the local economy alive. Yet, some aspiring local entrepreneurs began opening a few upscale hotels and inns to lure even more travelers to Jackson. The Worts left the greatest legacy in this regard, using their fantastic hotel in downtown Jackson to transform the town into a prominent resort community around the start of World War II. Nevertheless, Jackson retained its rustic character, especially as conservationists began to save large tracts of land around the town around the middle of the century. During the 1930s, for instance, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., purchased over 30,000 acres for inclusion into the neighboring Grand Teton National Park. And President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed the northern reaches of Jackson as a national monument in 1943. Today, Jackson continues to function as one of Wyoming’s most exclusive vacation getaways, especially among those who enjoy spending most of their time in the great outdoors.

The Wort Hotel is a must stop for the Western Fine Art Enthusiast. The Hotel contains over 175 pieces of original contemporary and traditional Western Art, valued at over $1.2 million. Each piece of art was carefully chosen by Wort owner Bill Baxter and represents his passion and style for art. It features sculptured bronze work, acrylics, and oils. Something more unique in the art world is the “Hand Carved Wood Western Themed Doors.” Each door represents a theme for the Suite décor inside; Cowboy, Cowgirl, Shoshone, Teton or Silver Dollar. Look inside these rooms and guests will find additional original artworks from that region or time period. The majority of the artwork is on display publicly throughout the hotel, approximately 100 pieces. The Silver Dollar Bar is known for its Saloon pieces by deceased artist Ray McCarty. He was known as a “renegade” in the art world, for his art was inspired by his outlaw heritage and connection with Butch Cassidy’s gang. The Wort Hotel and Silver Dollar Inc. have the largest collection of McCarty pieces at 50; Steven Wynn of Las Vegas has 42 making his the second largest collection. The Shoshone Suite, as well as some of the public spaces of the hotel, feature Native American pieces conveying historical depictions of the Western frontier and Native American tribes. Key pieces by Gerry Metz, John Clymer and Joe Velazquez are included, too. Velazquez pursued his creative passion in fine art portraying with historical accuracy the people and routes of the fur trade era.

The hotel features a self-guided walking tour with photos and descriptions of key pieces of art. The brochure provides an overview on the artist as well as the name of each piece featured in the hotel. This is a free tour available to anyone who stops into the hotel to have a look. This is a privately owned collection with new additional artwork being purchased all the time. The majority of the collection has been housed at the hotel for at least the past 10-15 years.