Teton County, Wyoming, Centennial Celebration

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the formation of Teton County, WY.

On Sunday, August 29, 2021, Teton County will come together in honor of this milestone with a 100th anniversary picnic celebration. The day will include barbequed food, lawn games, live music performances, children's activities, and exhibits of Teton County's historical photos and artifacts. This event provides an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate Teton County's strong, remarkable character.

Teton County was established by an act of the Wyoming Legislature and signed into law by Governor Robert D. Carey on February 18, 1921. The area was initially part of neighboring Lincoln County. Residents grew weary of travelling over 200 miles to the Lincoln County seat: Kemmerer, WY. Travel was often impossible in the winter as snowy roads were closed, leaving the residents of now Teton County completely isolated.

One of the chief proponents of the effort to carve out Teton County was Wyoming legislator W.C. Deloney. In January 1920, Representative Deloney introduced a bill in the legislature establishing an independent county he then called ``Jackson Hole County.'' To select the county seat, a vote was held between the communities of Jackson and Kelly. Though Jackson seems like the logical seat today, the landscape was very different in 1920. Of 826 votes cast, Jackson won by only 22 votes.

The first three Jackson Hole County Commissioners, T.R. Wilson of Alta; W.P. Redmond of Kelly; and Peter Christofferson--P.C.--Hansen of Jackson were appointed. This was the beginning of a legacy of civic service for the Hansen family. P.C. Hansen was the father of U.S. Senator Cliff P. Hansen and the great-grandfather of Wyoming Governor Matt Mead.

Today, Teton County boasts four communities, Jackson being the largest with more than 10,500 residents led by Mayor Hailey Morton Levinson. The tight-knit communities of Wilson, Moran, Alta, Kelly, and Teton Village bring the county's population to over 23,400. Five county commissioners, Chairwoman Natalia D. Macker, Vice-Chair Luther Propst, Mark Newcomb, Greg Epstein, and Mark Barron represent Teton County.

The story of Teton County echoes the stories of communities across Wyoming, carving out their homes in the American West. Even today, Teton County is 97 percent public land, including the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and most of Yellowstone National Park.

From its beginnings, tourism was an important business in the region. The first homesteaders in the 1880s hosted and outfitted the earliest tourists. Today, the wilderness attracts tourists from all over the world for numerous activities like camping, sightseeing, hiking, hunting, and snow-skiing, to name only a few. Three significant ski areas, Snow King Mountain Resort, Teton Village, and Grand Targhee Resort ensure the tourism industry stays vibrant in the winter.

The National Elk Refuge in Teton County is a winter-safe haven for upwards of 8,000 elk. The refuge, part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, provides critical habitat for a number of species, including elk, bison, pronghorn, swans, eagles, and trout.

It is my honor to commemorate this historic milestone for Teton County. Their centennial celebration is a tribute to generations of determination and commitment. My wife Bobbi and the people of Wyoming join me in our appreciation of the people of Teton County. We thank them for opening their communities to our great State, the Nation, and the world. We extend our congratulations as we look forward to the next 100 years.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source