John D. Rockefeller Jr. acquired and donated 35,000 acres in Jackson Hole

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

In the 1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Yellowstone Superintendent Horace Albright initiated a covert operation to preserve the landscape of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, from rapid commercial development. Through the Snake River Land Company, established in 1927, Rockefeller provided funds for agent Robert E. Miller to purchase over 35,000 acres for $1.4 million. The acquisition strategy relied on anonymity to keep land prices low, with the ultimate intention of donating the property to the federal government for incorporation into Grand Teton National Park.

Consequences

When the secret plan was made public in 1930, many local residents felt betrayed by the deceptive nature of the land acquisition. This shift in local sentiment occurred despite the initial efforts to address concerns regarding the area's growing number of billboards, cabins, and commercial facilities.

Sources

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