How Did the Grand Tetons Get Their Name?

This is a quick explanation of the history behind how the Grand Tetons got their name.

What Is the Teton Range?

The Tetons are part of the Rocky Mountains. The Tetons stretch from the Southern Border of Yellowstone National Park to Teton Pass. Most of the Tetons are in Wyoming, but some of the foothills reach into Idaho. Grand Teton, the largest peak in the range, measures 13,766 feet.

History

Humans have lived in the vicinity of the Tetons for about 11,000 years, according to archaeologists. Various Native American tribes, including Shoshone, Crow and Blackfoot, have also lived in the area.

Nineteenth Century

John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is the first recorded white explorer to the region. Colter claimed to have reached the area in 1807 and 1808. Afterward, the region became a popular site for fur trapping.

How Did the Tetons Get Their Name?

French fur traders came to the region in the early Nineteenth Century. Focusing mainly on three of the largest peaks--Grand, South and Middle--they referred to the range as "les Trois Tétons" or "the Three Breasts." That is the origin of the current name, Grand Tetons.

Fun Fact

Due to their very dramatic appearance, The Tetons have been the setting for many films, including the Western classic "Shane."