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 was built in 1927 by the Frew family from Pittsburgh. This ranch was not for cattle. Instead, it was a summer home and a "dude ranch." A dude ranch is a place where guests can stay and experience a ranch lifestyle. The buildings are made of logs and wood, giving them a rustic look.
The ranch has seven cabins, a main lodge, a barn, and other small buildings. It sits by the Snake River, north of Moose, Wyoming. This historic ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Contents
History of the 4 Lazy F Ranch
Early Days of the Ranch
The ranch land was first improved in 1914 by Bryant Mears from Philadelphia. He built two log cabins, a small barn, and corrals. He also added fencing, a well, and a ditch. Mears lived on the 18-acre property during the winter of 1915. He called his property the Sun Star Ranch. In 1916, he grew crops like oats, barley, and hay there.
Mears got married the next year. He then joined the U.S. Army and served from 1917 to 1919. In 1927, Edward Mears sold the ranch to William Frew.
The Frew Family and the Dude Ranch
William Frew was a wealthy man from Pittsburgh. He renamed the ranch the 4 Lazy F. This name was a fun way to refer to the "Four Lazy Frews" family. The Frew family used the ranch as their own summer retreat. They also invited paying guests, but only by special invitation. This meant it was both a family home and a private dude ranch.
The Frew family had a special agreement called a "life lease." This meant they could use the property for their lifetime. In 2006, the family gave up their lease. The National Park Service then took over the ranch. They made repairs to the buildings in 2010. In 2016, it was suggested that the ranch could be used to house park employees who work there during the summer.
What the Ranch Looks Like
Buildings and Design
The 4 Lazy F Ranch has seven cabins, a lodge that also serves as a dining hall, and a building for laundry and utilities. There is also a barn, garages, sheds, and a corral for animals. The ranch is located on the west side of the Snake River.
All the buildings are built in a style called "dude ranch vernacular." This means they use logs for the main structure. They also use a method called "board-and-batten" for the walls. The logs are usually varnished brown. The roofs are often red or green. Most of the cabins are still in their original condition. Newer bathrooms have been added to the back of some cabins. Inside, the walls have exposed logs, and the floors are also original.
Ranch Status and Recognition
The 4 Lazy F Ranch was once a private property located inside Grand Teton National Park. These types of properties are called "inholdings." In 2006, Emily Frew Oliver sold the ranch to the National Park Service. It became fully controlled by the National Park Service after that. The 4 Lazy F Ranch was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23, 1990.
See also
