Cunningham Cabin in Grand Teton National Park

The Cunningham Cabin is a historic site in Grand Teton National Park. It is located about 6 miles south of Moran off Highway 191. 

John Pierce Cunningham and his wife Margaret built the cabin in 1888 when they staked a homesteading claim for the Bar Flying U Ranch. It is one of the few remaining structures from that era. The family lived there until 1895 when the main home was completed. The cabin became a barn and blacksmith shop.

Cunningham was initially against the expansion of Grand Teton National Park. Despite the challenges of bitter cold winters and difficult conditions for cattle, Cunningham ran a profitable ranch. Then, a prolonged drought killed crops, and beef prices plummeted after World War I ended.

Terrible agricultural conditions continued for some years. During this time, Cunningham’s vision for the area changed. The valley’s ranchland was to be transformed into a “playground.”

“The destiny for Jackson’s Hole is as a playground, typical of the West, for the education and enjoyment of the Nation, as a whole.” – J. Pierce Cunningham.

Cunningham organized a petition to buy out valley ranches and create a national recreation area for public enjoyment. Ninety-seven ranchers signed the petition.

John D. Rockefeller Jr’s Snake River Land Company bought Cunningham’s ranch and other ranches in 1928. Rockefeller later donated more than 33,000 acres to expand Grand Teton National Park. 

Cunningham Cabin Gunfight

The cabin is also the site of a gunfight. In the fall of 1892, two wranglers from Montana came to the ranch looking to buy hay. Cunningham let them wait out the winter on his ranch. Soon, rumors were swirling that the men were wanted horse thieves. That spring, a posse led by men claiming to be a U.S. Marshall and deputies gunned down the men. If they were guilty of the allegations, the Marshal’s identity was never confirmed.

I visited on an early fall afternoon. We came up from the south and saw a ton of bison on the way.  Pulling into the parking lot, we were the only car there.   It was a cool, but beautiful day outside—deep blue skies with a few white puffy clouds mixed in.

We spent about 30 minutes there exploring in and around the cabin, taking in incredible views of the Tetons as we hiked the half-mile loop trail around the property.  It’s hard to imagine a home with a better view.