Wednesday 5 May 2021

Antlers Gate at Jackson Hole, Wyoming

One of the four elk antler arches in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

There is a park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming  which has 4 big arches built from antlers. The first elk antler arch was constructed in 1953 by the Jackson Hole Rotary Club. The other corners of the park would eventually be adorned with arches, with the project being completed by the close of the 1960’s. A base was constructed and three local Jackson men built a steel frame, which allowed the Rotary Club to stack the antlers. I was told that most of the antlers were found by Boy Scouts in the Teton Mountains over the years. The club used over 2,000 antlers and spent half a day stacking them to complete the first arch. The other three arches each contained around 2,000 antlers each. 

A close-up of some of the antlers, intertwined together.

Although antlers are strong and made of bone, all elk know that they are only supposed to be worn for a season. The elk antlers in the arches have eventually worn down from sun damage and cold temps and began to be replaced in 2006. I took these photos in 2010 when I took a trip towards the majestic Teton Mountains and Yellowstone Park. The town of Jackson and the Rotary Club of Jackson Hole began to auction off the original arches in 2006.

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