PRIVATE INHOLDING ON MORMON ROW NOW PART OF GRAND TETON
The Moulton Ranch Cabins were the last privately-held piece of property on the iconic Mormon Row Historic District.
The owners, Hal and Iola Blake are descendants of TA Moulton, one of the original pioneers who homesteaded the area in the early twentieth century. The Blakes listed the property for sale in 2017. Under Teton County, WY's zoning regulations, a private purchaser could have redeveloped the inholding, building up to 10,000 square feet of new construction that may not have been compatible with the historic district, scenic viewshed, and conservation purposes of the surrounding park.
NEWS OF THE ONE-OF-A-KIND REAL ESTATE LISTING SPREAD ACROSS THE NATION, highlighting the risk of development to this key piece of Grand Teton National Park’s history.
A generous philanthropist approached the Foundation to see if there was a possibility to purchase the property and donate the inholding to Grand Teton. The anonymous donor cares deeply for the park and is concerned about its pressing need for seasonal workforce housing.
The Blakes sold their Mormon Row property to Grand Teton National Park Foundation in 2018. This continues a near century-long effort to manage and conserve land within Grand Teton’s boundaries, a vision that has incrementally shaped the park that we know today. Once transferred to the park, the existing lodging facilities will be utilized for seasonal employee housing—a critical need for Grand Teton.