In the summer of 2025, the Teton County Historic Preservation Board was made aware of the increasing deterioration of one of Jackson Hole’s least-known cemeteries. The Granite Ridge Cemetery in Teton Village is a private cemetery, maintained by a handful of descendants of the former residents. In the early 20th century, the area was known as “Teton.”
Jackson Hole has dozens of private cemeteries, mostly on former homesteads and ranches. Many are now within Grand Teton National Park. Only one public cemetery is located in town, the Aspen Hill Cemetery, at the base of Snow King. Dozens more individual gravesites are all over the valley, many lost to time.
All of the cemeteries share a “wildwood beauty” as described in a 1963 Jackson Hole Guide article. The article describes the Aspen Hill Cemetery as, “shaded by native evergreens, and quaking aspen, with beautiful native flowers blooming in season, and lovely native shrubs adding to its beauty.” And this description easily describes any of the area cemeteries.
At Granite Ridge, the wildwood beauty was transitioning into wilderness as the living descendants who cared for the cemetery dwindled in number. The Teton County Historic Preservation Board whose mission it is to “preserve Teton County’s architectural and archaeological heritage” organized a volunteer workday to help clean up the Granite Ridge Cemetery.
Downed tree limbs, overgrown shrubs and grasses were all cut back to clear out the former path that wound through the small site. Access was re-established and gravesites were cleared of debris. A sign to commemorate the residents of Teton and their cemetery will be added soon. The Teton County Preservation Board is proud to be called upon for help, and to continue protecting our historic resources for future generations.
