AMK Ranch
Encyclopedia
The AMK Ranch is a small dude ranch
on the eastern shore of Jackson Lake
in Grand Teton National Park
. Also known as the Merymare, Lonetree and Mae-Lou Ranch, it was built beginning in the 1920s by William Louis Johnson, then expanded in the 1930s by Alfred Berol (Berolzheimer). Johnson built a lodge, barn and boathouse in 1927, while Berol added a larger lodge, new boathouse, and cabins, all in the rustic
style.
The ranch is notable for the high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, comparable to that seen in contemporary National Park Service
structures. The Berol Lodge is the most extensively detailed rustic structure in Grand Teton.
William Johnson was an executive of The Hoover Company
, who acquired the land in the 1920s and built a small lodge, garage and boathouse in 1927 using the log construction prevailing for dude ranches in Jackson Hole
. Johnson died in 1931, and Berolzheimer, an officer of the Eagle (later Berol
) Company, manufacturers of pencils, bought the ranch in 1936. Berol hired New York architect George W. Kosmak to design a new main lodge, boathouse, and cabins. Kosmak was assisted by Jackson architect Paul T. Colbron.
The AMK was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on April 23, 1990.
Dude ranch
The guest ranch, also known as a dude ranch, is a type of ranch oriented towards visitors or tourism. It is considered a form of agritourism.-History:...
on the eastern shore of Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake is a lake located in north western Wyoming in Grand Teton National Park. The lake is natural, except for the top 33 feet , which is due to the construction of Jackson Lake Dam, built in 1911. This top level of the lake is utilized by farmers in Idaho for irrigation purposes...
in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
. Also known as the Merymare, Lonetree and Mae-Lou Ranch, it was built beginning in the 1920s by William Louis Johnson, then expanded in the 1930s by Alfred Berol (Berolzheimer). Johnson built a lodge, barn and boathouse in 1927, while Berol added a larger lodge, new boathouse, and cabins, all in the rustic
National Park Service Rustic
National Park Service rustic, also colloquially known as Parkitecture, is a style of architecture that arose in the United States National Park System to create buildings that harmonized with their natural environment. Since its founding, the National Park Service consistently has sought to provide...
style.
The ranch is notable for the high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, comparable to that seen in contemporary National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
structures. The Berol Lodge is the most extensively detailed rustic structure in Grand Teton.
William Johnson was an executive of The Hoover Company
The Hoover Company
The Hoover Company started out as an American floor care manufacturer based in North Canton, Ohio. It also established a major base in the United Kingdom and for most of the early-and-mid-20th century, it dominated the electric vacuum cleaner industry, to the point where the "hoover" brand name...
, who acquired the land in the 1920s and built a small lodge, garage and boathouse in 1927 using the log construction prevailing for dude ranches in Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole, originally called Jackson's Hole, is a valley located in the U.S. state of Wyoming, near the western border with Idaho. The name "hole" derives from language used by early trappers or mountain men, who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along...
. Johnson died in 1931, and Berolzheimer, an officer of the Eagle (later Berol
Berol
Berol is a British company that manufactures pencils, pens and other stationery items, based in Lichfield, England. Established in 1969, its handwriting pen, used in many British schools, is now more than 25 years old....
) Company, manufacturers of pencils, bought the ranch in 1936. Berol hired New York architect George W. Kosmak to design a new main lodge, boathouse, and cabins. Kosmak was assisted by Jackson architect Paul T. Colbron.
The AMK was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 23, 1990.
External links
- AMK Ranch at Grand Teton National Park
- AMK Ranch at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office
- AMK Ranch Cultural Landscape Study
- University of Wyoming-National Park Service (UW-NPS) Research Center at AMK Ranch