4 Lazy F Dude Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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4 Lazy F Dude Ranch
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Teton County, Wyoming, US |
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| Nearest city | Moose, Wyoming |
| Architect | William Frew |
| MPS | Grand Teton National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000611 |
| Added to NRHP | April 23, 1990 |
The 4 Lazy F Ranch, also known as the Sun Star Ranch, is a special place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's a type of vacation spot called a dude ranch. Here, guests can enjoy a ranch experience, often with activities like horseback riding, but it's not a working farm with cattle.
The William Frew family from Pittsburgh built this ranch in 1927. They wanted it as a summer home and a place to host friends. The buildings are made in a rustic style, using logs and wood panels. The ranch has seven cabins, a main lodge, a barn, and other small buildings. It sits on the west side of the Snake River, near Moose, Wyoming. In 1990, the 4 Lazy F Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
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History of the 4 Lazy F Ranch
The land where the ranch stands was first developed in 1914 by Bryant Mears from Philadelphia. He built two log cabins, a small barn, and fences. He also dug a well and a ditch for water. Mears lived on the 18-acre property, which he called the Sun Star Ranch. He even grew oats, barley, and hay there in 1916.
After serving in the Army from 1917 to 1919, Mears's ranch was sold. In 1927, Edward Mears sold the property to William Frew.
The Frew Family's Ranch Life
William Frew was a wealthy man from Pittsburgh. He renamed the ranch the 4 Lazy F. This name was a fun way to say "Four Lazy Frews," referring to his family. The Frew family used the ranch as their private summer getaway. They also invited paying guests, but only by special invitation. This made it both a family retreat and a unique dude ranch.
The Frew family owned the right to use the property until 2006. After that, the National Park Service took over the ranch. They made important repairs in 2010 to keep the buildings in good shape. In 2016, it was suggested that the ranch could be used to house park employees who work there during the busy seasons.
What the Ranch Looks Like
The 4 Lazy F Ranch has several buildings. There are seven cabins where guests or family members would stay. There's also a main lodge, which served as a dining hall. A separate building handles laundry and other utilities. You'll also find a barn, garages, sheds, and a corral for horses.
All the buildings are built in a style called "dude ranch vernacular." This means they use lots of logs and wood panels. The logs are usually varnished brown, while the roofs are red or green. The cabins still look much like they did when they were first built. Inside, you can see the exposed logs on the walls and floors.
The ranch was once a private property located inside Grand Teton National Park. In 2006, Emily Frew Oliver sold the property to the National Park Service. This means the park now fully controls the ranch. The 4 Lazy F Ranch was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23, 1990.
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