Wort Hotel
Encyclopedia
The Wort Hotel was built in downtown Jackson, Wyoming
by brothers John and Jess Wort, who were significant figures in the transformation of the economy of Jackson Hole
from ranching to tourism. The somewhat Tudor-style building was the first luxury hotel in Jackson. The two story building features brick facing, with half-timbering and stucco on the second floor and a series of gables facing the street.
The hotel was built on property that had been bought by Charles Wort, father of John and Jess, who operated a livery stable on the site from 1915 to 1932. From 1932 to 1940 the Wort Family operated what is now Signal Mountain Lodge
in Grand Teton National Park
, until the Wort Hotel was opened in 1941. In 1950 the Silver Dollar Bar was added, with 2032 uncirculated silver dollars embedded in the surface of the bar.
. After a trip to his native Nebraska
to marry his wife Luella Perkins in 1899 he returned with Luella. In the early 1900s he began to work as an outfitter, assisted by his sons John and Jess. The Worts began to assemble land in the center of Jackson in 1915 with the aim of eventually building a hotel. In the meantime Charles built the Wort Livery Stable and Corral on the property, operating until 1932, along with the Wort Garage at Broadway and Cache. In 1917 Charles and Luella bought the Jackson Hotel at North Cache and Deloney, operating it for slightly more than a year. In 1925 they built a house across from the future hotel on West Broadway, ending their career as ranchers. The house was moved to Wilson, Wyoming
in the 1960s. They had previously built a log cabin at Broadway and Cache for their sons to stay in when inclement weather prevented them from returning home from school in Jackson. Known as the Wort boys' cabin, it was later used as a law office by Will Simpson. Moved into Town Square
, it was used by a stagecoach ride concession until 1996, when it was given to Simpson's grandson, Senator Alan Simpson
who reportedly moved it to Cody
.
During the 1920s the Worts obtained the first concession in Grand Teton National Park
at Jenny Lake
, where they ran a boating concession
. In the 1930s the Worts operated their hunting concession in the Gros Ventre Mountains
at what is now the Gap Puche Cabin
. In 1932 the Worts purchased the Ole Warner Camp on Jackson Lake
, naming it the Wort Lodge and Camp and operating it until 1940 when it was sold as the Signal Mountain Lodge. The proceeds from the sale financed the construction of the Wort Hotel, undertaken by John and Jess, Charles having died in 1933.
. The Wort was finished just before the outbreak of World War II
. Despite wartime restrictions, the hotel became popular with servicemen on furlough. Gambling was officially illegal, but tolerated until the 1950s, when Wyoming Governor Milward Simpson began a campaign against gambling. At the Wort, gambling retreated to the basement Teton Room, locally known as the "Snake Pit." Gambling finally ceased in the mid 1950s.
A fire in 1980 severely damaged the hotel, destroying much of the second floor, but it was reopened in 1981 with minimal changes. In 1984 the hotel was sold out of the Wort family. The hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1999.
In 2009, AAA
named the Wort Hotel one of the top 10 historic U.S. hotels.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a town located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 8,647 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Teton County....
by brothers John and Jess Wort, who were significant figures in the transformation of the economy of Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole, originally called Jackson's Hole, is a valley located in the U.S. state of Wyoming, near the western border with Idaho. The name "hole" derives from language used by early trappers or mountain men, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along...
from ranching to tourism. The somewhat Tudor-style building was the first luxury hotel in Jackson. The two story building features brick facing, with half-timbering and stucco on the second floor and a series of gables facing the street.
The hotel was built on property that had been bought by Charles Wort, father of John and Jess, who operated a livery stable on the site from 1915 to 1932. From 1932 to 1940 the Wort Family operated what is now Signal Mountain Lodge
Signal Mountain Lodge
Signal Mountain Lodge is a resort located within Grand Teton National Park on Jackson Lake. The resort started in the 1920s as a fishing camp operated by Ole Warner. The camp was purchased in 1931 by the Wort family of Jackson, Wyoming, who owned other concessions in the park, renaming it the Wort...
in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
, until the Wort Hotel was opened in 1941. In 1950 the Silver Dollar Bar was added, with 2032 uncirculated silver dollars embedded in the surface of the bar.
Wort Family
Charles J. Wort first arrived in Jackson Hole in 1893 at age 19 to visit his brother Hamilton and half brother Stephen Leek. Charles remained to homestead in the South Park region of Teton CountyTeton County, Wyoming
Teton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. As of 2010, the population was 21,294. Its county seat is Jackson. Teton County contains the affluent Jackson Hole skiing area...
. After a trip to his native Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
to marry his wife Luella Perkins in 1899 he returned with Luella. In the early 1900s he began to work as an outfitter, assisted by his sons John and Jess. The Worts began to assemble land in the center of Jackson in 1915 with the aim of eventually building a hotel. In the meantime Charles built the Wort Livery Stable and Corral on the property, operating until 1932, along with the Wort Garage at Broadway and Cache. In 1917 Charles and Luella bought the Jackson Hotel at North Cache and Deloney, operating it for slightly more than a year. In 1925 they built a house across from the future hotel on West Broadway, ending their career as ranchers. The house was moved to Wilson, Wyoming
Wilson, Wyoming
Wilson is a census-designated place in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,294 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson, WY–ID Micropolitan Statistical Area...
in the 1960s. They had previously built a log cabin at Broadway and Cache for their sons to stay in when inclement weather prevented them from returning home from school in Jackson. Known as the Wort boys' cabin, it was later used as a law office by Will Simpson. Moved into Town Square
George Washington Memorial Park (Jackson, Wyoming)
George Washington Memorial Park is located at the center of Jackson, Wyoming. More generally known as "Town Square", the park is notable for its elk-antler arches at each corner of the park, collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge by Boy Scouts and periodically rebuilt. The square originally...
, it was used by a stagecoach ride concession until 1996, when it was given to Simpson's grandson, Senator Alan Simpson
Alan K. Simpson
Alan Kooi Simpson is an American politician who served from 1979 to 1997 as a United States Senator from Wyoming as a member of the Republican Party. His father, Milward L. Simpson, was also a member of the U.S...
who reportedly moved it to Cody
Cody, Wyoming
Cody is a city in Park County, Wyoming, United States. It is named after William Frederick Cody, primarily known as Buffalo Bill, from William Cody's part in the creation of the original town. The population was 9,520 at the 2010 census...
.
During the 1920s the Worts obtained the first concession in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
at Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is located in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The lake was formed approximately 12,000 years ago by glaciers pushing rock debris which carved Cascade Canyon during the last glacial maximum, forming a terminal moraine which now impounds the lake. The lake is...
, where they ran a boating concession
Jenny Lake Boat Concession Facilities
The Jenny Lake Boat Concession Facilities, also known as Reimer's Cabin and the Wort Boathouse, are a group of buildings on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. They include a dock, a boathouse, two employee cabins and Reimer's Cabin. The boathouse was built by concessioner Charles Wort, who...
. In the 1930s the Worts operated their hunting concession in the Gros Ventre Mountains
Gros Ventre Wilderness
The Gros Ventre Wilderness is located in Bridger-Teton National Forest in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Most of the Gros Ventre Range is located within the wilderness.U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles...
at what is now the Gap Puche Cabin
Gap Puche Cabin
The Gap Puche Cabin is a log cabin near Jackson, Wyoming that is the last survivor of the early outfitting industry in Jackson Hole. It was built circa 1929 at the junction of the Gros Ventre River and Crystal Creek by brothers-in-law Actor Nelson and Charlie Smith...
. In 1932 the Worts purchased the Ole Warner Camp on Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake is a lake located in north western Wyoming in Grand Teton National Park. The lake is natural, except for the top 33 feet , which is due to the construction of Jackson Lake Dam, built in 1911. This top level of the lake is utilized by farmers in Idaho for irrigation purposes...
, naming it the Wort Lodge and Camp and operating it until 1940 when it was sold as the Signal Mountain Lodge. The proceeds from the sale financed the construction of the Wort Hotel, undertaken by John and Jess, Charles having died in 1933.
Hotel
The Wort Hotel was designed by Idaho amateur architect Lorenzo "Ren" Grimmett. Grimmett is stated to have subsequently designed a near twin to the Wort, the Stage Coach Inn, in West Yellowstone, MontanaWest Yellowstone, Montana
West Yellowstone is a town in Gallatin County, Montana, adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. The population was 1,177 at the 2000 census. The town is served by Yellowstone Airport...
. The Wort was finished just before the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Despite wartime restrictions, the hotel became popular with servicemen on furlough. Gambling was officially illegal, but tolerated until the 1950s, when Wyoming Governor Milward Simpson began a campaign against gambling. At the Wort, gambling retreated to the basement Teton Room, locally known as the "Snake Pit." Gambling finally ceased in the mid 1950s.
A fire in 1980 severely damaged the hotel, destroying much of the second floor, but it was reopened in 1981 with minimal changes. In 1984 the hotel was sold out of the Wort family. The hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1999.
In 2009, AAA
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
named the Wort Hotel one of the top 10 historic U.S. hotels.
External links
- Wort Hotel
- Photographs of the Wort Hotel at the National Park Service's NRHP database
- Wort Hotel at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office