Van Vleck House and Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Van Vleck House and Barn
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Van Vleck House (2013)
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jackson, Wyoming |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Roy Van Vleck |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001075 |
| Added to NRHP | September 7, 1995 |
The Van Vleck House is a historic log cabin built in Jackson, Wyoming. It was constructed between 1910 and 1911. This house and its nearby barn are special because they are the only old homes left near the town's main area, called the Town Square.
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The Van Vleck Family Home
The Van Vleck House was built by Roy Van Vleck. He owned the first "mercantile" in Jackson. A mercantile was like a general store where people could buy many different things.
Roy and his wife, Genevieve Lawton Van Vleck, lived in the house from 1911 until 1960. Their home was very modern for its time. It had its own well, which provided water for many people living nearby.
Genevieve Van Vleck's Role
Genevieve Van Vleck was an important person in Jackson. In 1920, she became part of the first all-female town council in the United States. This means that all the people on the town's governing board were women. She served on the council until 1923.
Roy Van Vleck's Community Work
Roy Van Vleck also helped the community in many ways. He was the local land commissioner. This job involved managing public land. He also served on the boards for the local hospital and schools.
Roy Van Vleck was also known for disagreeing with the creation and growth of Grand Teton National Park in the 1930s. He felt the park's expansion might affect the local community.
What the House and Barn Look Like
The Van Vleck House is a one-story cabin made of logs. It is shaped like the letter "L" and is about 36 feet (11 meters) by 60 feet (18 meters) in size.
House Changes Over Time
In 1988, there was a fire at the house. After the fire, the house was moved about 30 feet (9 meters) and placed on a new foundation. Even though it moved, it still faces the same way and looks like it belongs in its original spot. The inside of the house was rebuilt after the fire.
The Barn's Story
The barn is a few years newer than the house. It has a chimney made of bricks in the middle. Today, the barn is used for storage.
The barn is also famous for being in a movie! It was the location for the final fight scene in the 1980 movie Every Which Way But Loose, which starred Clint Eastwood.
A Historic Landmark
In 1980, the Van Vleck House became a restaurant. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it is recognized as an important historical building. It is the only truly old and original building left in the center of Jackson.
Barn Relocation
In August 2009, the barn was taken apart. It was moved to a new location south of Jackson and put back together there. The town of Jackson approved this move.
- Photographs of the Van Vleck House and Barn at the National Park Service's NRHP database
