Ever want to step back in time and see what downtown Jackson Hole might have looked like in the ’40s through the ’60s?

Old post cards and other ephemera can do just that! Maps, brochures, guides and other printed materials are a treasure trove of history. With the aid of the Internet and sites like eBay, it is relatively easy to find and usually not that expensive. I buy them when I can. This page contains shots of old downtown, mostly of businesses on Broadway and Cache. In the future, I’ll try to add another page of Hotel/Motel postcards and other types of businesses. In case you are not familiar with the term, here’s the definition of ephemera:

EPHEMERA 1 : something of no lasting significance —usually used in plural 2 ephemera plural : paper items (as posters, broadsides, and tickets) that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectible. (Source: merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephemera)

As in today, very few postcards are printed without a date on them. They could sell them for years without the dates. Of course, the town changed regularly, dating them none the less. A car buff could probably date the cards to some degree by simply studying the make and model of the vehicles. Under each of the postcards, I’ve added the obligatory text and any kind of information identifying the photographer or company. I’ve also added the street and direction of view.

Looking south if standing at the intersection of Deloney and Cache.

JACKSON, WYOMING: Located in the shadow of the towering Teton Range, Jackson is the county for Teton County, Wyoming, and the commercial center for the entire Jackson Hole area, “The Last of Old West”. : Mike Roberts, Intermountain Tourist Supply, Inc, Salt Lake City 1, Utah

Looking north if standing at the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

#4162 — Street scene in Jackson along the west side of the town square. This picturesque western town is the supply point for the Jackson Hole Region, Wyoming. : Genuine Natural Color Made by DEXTER PRESS, Inc., West Nyack, N.Y.

Looking south if standing at the intersection of Deloney and Cache.

S-335X  JACKSON, WYOMING – Looking south along U.S. Hwys. 26, 89, and 187 toward Snow King Mountain. Jackson is famous for its Old West Atmosphere and is gateway to Grand Teton National Park. : Published by Seaich Card and Souvenir Corp., Salt Lake City

Looking east if standing a block and a half west of Broadway and Cache. Glenwood is the close intersection.

C-408-MAIN STREET, JACKSON, WYO. – Jackson has some of the finest western outfitter stores and great many modern hotels and motels. Shown here is the Wort Hotel, one of the best in the Jackson Hole region. : Published by Cooper Post Card Co, Lakewood, Colo.

Looking south if standing at the intersection of Deloney and Cache.

JACKSON WYOMING: Located in the shadow of the towering Teton Range, Jackson is the county for Teton County, Wyoming, and the commercial center for the entire Jackson Hole area, “The Last of Old West”. : Mike Roberts, Intermountain Tourist Supply, Inc, Salt Lake City 1, Utah

Looking east if standing 1/2 block east of the intersection of Glenwood and Broadway.

C-410-FRONTIER POST, JACKSON, WYO. – The old time log buildings convey to the visitor the western spirit of long ago. Strolling along over the wooden sidewalks, exchanging greetings  with cowboys and cowgirls, the tourist get the picture as it looked 100 years ago.

Looking east if standing at the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

#4029 – Street scene in Jackson, Wyoming, where boardwalks, western fronts, and the western atmosphere still impress the touris. Jackson is the starting point for Grand Teton National Park and the south entrance of Yellowstone. Pub. by Sanborn Souvenir Co., Inc., Denver, Colo.

Looking south if standing at the intersection of Deloney and Cache.

ES-220 – JACKSON, WYOMING – Looking South along U.s. Highways 26, 89, and 187 toward the chari lift. City Park on left. : Published by Eric J. Seaich Co., 120 West Broadway, Salt Lake City 1, Utah

Looking east if standing in the intersection of Glenwood and Broadway.

S-547X – JACKSON, WYOMING – Last of the old west. Looking east on Broadway Street. : Published by Seaich Card and Souvenir Corp., Salt Lake City

Looking west if standing in the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

JACKSON AT NIGHT – Business section in Jackson, Wyoming, trading center for the Jackson Hole country — “The Last of the Old West.” :  Distributed by the Geo. Mc Co., Box 7146, Murray, Utah 84107

Looking north if standing at the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

JACKSON, WYOMING – Looking north toward Teton and Yellowstone National Parks along U.S. Highways 89-26 and 187. Jackson’s famous Elk Horn Arch and city park at the right. : Pub by Eric J. Seaich Co., 120 West Broadway, Salt Lake City 1, Utah

Looking east if standing at the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

#4066 – Street scene in Jackson, Wyoming, where boardwalks, western fronts and the western atmosphere still impress the tourists. Jackson is the starting point for Grant Teton National Park and the south entrance of Yellowstone. : Pub. for Sanborn Souvenir Co., Inc., Denver, Colorado 80211

Looking east if standing at the intersection of Broadway and Cache.

JACKSON WYOMING: Located in the shadow of the towering Teton Range, Jackson is the county for Teton County, Wyoming, and the commercial center for the entire Jackson Hole area, “The Last of Old West”. : Mike Roberts, Intermountain Tourist Supply, Inc, Salt Lake City 1, Utah

Looking south if standing at the intersection of Deloney and Cache.

Comments: A couple of these cards are labeled “Main Street, Jackson, Wyoming”. Our east/west main street is actually Broadway. I am unaware of any street in Jackson officially called Main Street.  I am sure they exist somewhere, but I have yet to see a vintage postcard taken looking up or down Center street.

If you like this post, check out Harrison R. Crandall – The Park’s First Official Photographer

This is a list of additional Feature Posts with early JH History:

• The West of Yesteryear and Today
• Wild West in Jackson Hole: Cowboys, Wranglers and Horses
• Early Roads in Grand Teton National Park:
• The Moulton Barns: 1963-1965
• Preservation Begins on the John Moulton Homestead!
• The “Missing” GTNP Farming and Ranching Photos:
• Mormon Row Irrigation and the Kelly Warm Springs:
• Scalawags and Bridges ~ The Old Buffalo Fork Bridge:
• Kelly and Antelope Flats Map from 1939
• Seasons at the Thomas A. Moulton Barn:
• The Shane Cabins: Authentic Homestead in Grand Teton National Park
• “SHANE” — The Epic Western Movie Filmed in Jackson Hole
• Bar BC Dude Ranch
• Native American Pow-Wows
• Mountain Man Rendezvous:

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