Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Hampton Barringer Luzak is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for hiking and a variety of winter activities. Another passion of Hampton B. Luzak’s is historical houses and their preservation.
One historical property in the local area is White Grass Dude Ranch, which is situated in Grand Teton National Park, just a few miles north of Jackson Hole. Homesteaded as a cattle ranch by George Bispham and Harold Hammond in 1913, it was turned into a dude ranch in 1919. Designed to accommodate the needs of dude wranglers, the wood-hewn Main Cabin featured a kitchen and dining area. It was complemented by the Hammond Cabin, which housed the owners’ family, as well as cabins for male and female employees. The property was acquired by the National Park Service (NPS) in 1956, although the transaction gave the family a life lease, so dude ranching continued up until 1985.
In tandem with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the NPS worked to rehabilitate the property in 2005. The restored property now serves as the Western Center for Historic Preservation. This provides traditional craftspeople the opportunity to gain skills in the preservation and maintenance of historic properties. Tours are the only way for members of the public to gain access, although the Main Lodge is slated to showcase an interpretive exhibit in the future.
