History and Ownership of the
Crescent H Ranch

The Beginning – 1924 – Crescent Lazy H Dude Ranch
In 1924, the Gerald Brown family purchased the ranch property located along the west bank of the Snake River beneath the Teton mountains. The Crescent Lazy H Dude Ranch was destined to become the most historic dude ranch in Wyoming. The family began immediately to improve the property. Wesley Bircher, a local craftsman, was hired to build the lodge and numerous dude cabins. Bircher contracted Mel Annis to design the lodge interior. “He could make almost anything of wood or iron; his lodge interior at the Crescent Lazy H Dude Ranch is one of the most beautiful in Wyoming.” (Sandoval, Judith Hancock: Historic Ranches of Wyoming). The Browns began ranch operations in 1927. Their sons, Edward and Freddy, guided the guests in daily activities. Edward and his wife, Catherine Yokel Brown (historically documented as the first female wrangler in Jackson Hole), accompanied the guests on elk hunts, fishing trips and horseback riding adventures. Freddy, a local mountaineer and ski pioneer, led guests on mountain climbing trips. Guests also enjoyed local rodeos and evening campfires listening to western legends. In the fall of 1932, Mr. and Mrs. Jack H. Hinz of Cleveland, Ohio came to the Ranch on an elk hunt. Jack and Kady soon learned that the ranch was in financial trouble. The building budget had been over-extended and the Depression was keeping “dudes” from visiting. The Hinz’s, along with a handful of businessmen from Cleveland, decided to take over the payments. The Brown family continued operating the Guest Ranch and would redeem it in one year if they were able. In 1935, after two years of struggling, the Browns sold the Ranch to the Hinz family and their investors. Ed and Catherine Brown remained as managers for several years before moving to Ohio.

Crescent H Dude Ranch — 1935
No More “Lazy” Days

The Hinz daughters, Sally and Jacqueline, were active each summer running the guest ranch. By now, the name was shortened to the Crescent H Dude Ranch because no one was “lazy” anymore. Sally and Jacqueline worked alongside Catherine’s brothers and sisters cleaning cabins and serving meals to guests in the lodge. “We would ride our
horses every morning and evening,” quotes Mrs. Jacqueline Hinz Parker in a recent interview. “Every Friday night we had a fish fry down by the river. Sometimes we would roast the ‘pig on a stick.’ We would sing
songs while a wrangler played the guitar for hours and we would laugh and tell stories with the ranch guests.”
The Hinz family did not allow just any guest to visit the Ranch. “Dudes” at Crescent H Dude Ranch had to send family references and explain their interest in visiting the Ranch. “We wanted to make sure they were
just like us,” says Mrs. Jacqueline H. Parker. In 1942, Sally and Jacqueline decided to operate the Guest Ranch by
themselves. Every summer while attending the University of Arizona, they would bring friends from school along with a local staff to successfully operate the Guest Ranch. Eventually, with families of their own, friends
and associates of the Hinz family were the only guests to visit the Crescent H Dude Ranch.

Crescent H Ranch — 1964
“Dudes” Removed from Name

In the fall of 1964, Mr. Herbert Allen and Donald H. Albrecht of Southern California purchased the Crescent H Dude Ranch for one million dollars. The “Dude” was removed, and the name shortened to the widely
recognized Crescent H Ranch. The new owners had unique plans for the Guest Ranch. They would
establish the Crescent H Ranch as one of the finest fishing camps in the country. Local professional fly-fisherman, Vern Bressler, informed Mr. Albrecht that the riparian lands (land between the Snake River and
the Ranch property) were home to some of the finest spring creeks in the country. Mr. Bressler was a long time friend of Leigh Perkins, owner of the nationally recognized Orvis Fly-Fishing and Outfitting Company.

After a few “business meetings” while fishing the Ranch spring creeks, Perkins agreed to partner the Orvis name with the Crescent H Ranch. With seven miles of spring creeks, ponds and the magnificent Snake River,
the Crescent H Ranch became North America’s first Orvis endorsed fly-fishing lodge. (As of 2003, there are now 11 Orvis endorsed fly-fishing operations in Wyoming.)
The Liar’s Den was the notable “home” for fly-fishermen who visited the Ranch. A fully stocked Orvis store on the property made fishing convenient and accessible. Guests returned to the Liar’s Den after a day of fishing to
share stories of their favorite fishing spots or their biggest catch of the day (hence the “Liar’s Den”).
A Crescent H vacation combined the Old West lifestyle with a taste of four-star treatment. In the historic lodge, guests enjoyed meals prepared by professional chefs. Days were full of horseback riding or floating the
Snake River. After, they would return to their cabins, which had been cleaned and stocked with beverages and afternoon refreshments. Guests enjoyed bonfires, barbecues, music, and a weekly trip to Jackson for the
rodeo. On Wednesday mornings, all would ride horses down to the spring creeks for a traditional “cowboy breakfast.”
Although accommodations and services were upgraded over time, guests generally experienced the same traditions and Western lifestyle that the Brown family and the Crescent Lazy H Dude Ranch shared in the 1930s.

Crescent H Ranch — 1997
Purchased in Bankruptcy Auction

In June of 1997, John Thornton (Chattanooga, TN Businessman) and Fred Ebrahimi (CEO of Quark) were top bidders for the 1300 acre Crescent H Ranch during a bankruptcy auction. Ebrahimi placed a $52 million bid in hopes of
obtaining the ranch for his daughter. Thornton tossed in 13 cents and won the bid, purchasing the Crescent H Ranch for $52 million and 13 cents. John and his wife Eileen dedicated the Ranch as a gathering place for family
and friends. They began restoring the Ranch as a fly-fishing haven. The Snake River and its tributaries, home to the native finespot cutthroat trout, meander throughout the Jackson Hole valley and the Ranch. These waterways
provide some of the most diverse and appealing fly-fishing in the country. It was only natural for Thornton, a fishing enthusiast, to ensure that the Ranch maintained the high standards of Orvis certification.
The combination of endless outdoor recreation, cultural events, and a tax friendly environment make Jackson Hole a spectacular place to live. Under Thornton’s ownership, a series of beautiful homes were constructed on the
Ranch. At the same time, John maintained the beauty of the area and its tradition as the finest in the West by donating 197 acres of the property to the Jackson Hole Land Trust.
Because of the epic ski resorts, the fishing, golf, and nearby Grand Teton National Park, the Crescent H Ranch continues to be a popular destination for many. Offering magnificent seclusion in one of the world’s most beautiful
places, the Ranch has hosted a myriad of national business leaders and celebrities. In addition, politicians, TV and movie celebrities, and sports figures are often found on the guest register. The guest book includes
names such as Chevy Chase, UTK Coach Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee Governor
Don Sundquist, and Vice President Dick Cheney to name only a few.

The Crescent H Ranch
Today

On the guest register in 1999 and again in early 2000 was the name of W. Allan Jones Jr., Cleveland, TN Businessman. Known in his hometown as an environmentalist and tree expert, Jones found the trees and beauty of
Wyoming to his liking. He and his family had visited Jackson Hole on several occasions – enjoying the beauty of the area and the relaxing venue. So it was no surprise that Jones was looking for a possible family retreat when
Thornton decided to sell the ranch. Jones purchased the Crescent H Ranch on Oct. 14, 2002. Allan, his wife
Janie, and their children Courtney, Abby, Will, and Bailey instantly fell in love with the serenity of the Jackson ranch. Abby, at age 18, had won numerous championships with her American Saddlebred Horses. She
quickly adapted to riding the trails of the ranch with family and friends. Jones, along with his staff and management team, began working to re-establish the Ranch as a fly-fishing destination venue. Reynolds Pomeroy
was immediately hired as General Manager for the Crescent H Ranch. Pomeroy and his wife Bettie have lived in nearby Wilson for over twenty years. They owned and operated one of the valley’s most successful
fly-fishing outfitter businesses. Well respected and familiar with the area, Pomeroy was a natural fit to re-establish the Crescent H Ranch as the “Crown Jewel of the Rocky Mountain West.”

Through research of Ranch traditions in the 1920s and 1930s, Pomeroy and Jones re-instated the fly-fishing excursions, horseback rides, and the old favorite – a Friday night BBQ complete with bluegrass music and
campfire storytelling. Pomeroy hopes the barbecues will be as popular as in decades past, when more than 100 people turned out each Friday. They also began building a staff of experienced chefs, wranglers,
horseback riding instructors, and fly-fishing instructors to ensure that every visitor experiences all the Ranch has to offer.

Embracing Traditions — Refurbishing the cabins and lodge

Although the Crescent H Ranch escaped the grip of progress until the early 1900s, its western legacy maintains an elegant sense of style and an intimate relationship with nature. Perhaps that’s why a wrangler by the name of Charlie
Parsons, who served as head caretaker for more than 26 years, chose to be buried on the Ranch – the place closest to his heart. Charlie’s small cabin near the main lodge was later transformed into the fishing
guide office that became known as the Liar’s Den – a fair title for a place known
to stretch the truth regarding life, love, and fishing. This cabin became “home away from home” for the Allan Jones family. With the help of Gallinger-Trauner Designs, the Jones added their personal touch to the Crescent H Ranch in 2003
when they redecorated the Liar’s Den, the Lodge, and the guest cabins in a cozy, western style.
Allan searched through old photographs of the buildings to restore a traditional décor, commissioning several new pieces of furniture and removing those that didn’t fit. The accommodations include new lodgepole pine furnishings with
turn-of-the-century marble-top antiques and plush down bedding. “We wanted to preserve the feeling of a cozy cabin in the woods,” Gallinger explains. As in the past, the Crescent H Ranch blends old and new. Although the lodge
is full of history, it also caters to guests and business meetings with state of the art technology. Well hidden until needed, the Ranch offers WiFi wireless Internet, a large screen TV, and wireless sound system for groups.
Some of the greatest traditional improvements are found in the kitchen. The chefs and staff at the supper club designed a new menu of traditional elegance. “With all the history here, we’re hoping to return to the traditional things in life,
like refined comfort-style food,” said the chef. These five-course meals range from pecan-crusted halibut with blueberry port sauce to beef tenderloin stuffed with Boursin cheese and Cumberland sauce – all served on vintage
pewter flatware and mugs.

The Future

Allan Jones believes in maintaining the land for future generations. With his love of trees and of preserving history, it is only fitting that the magnificent Crescent H Ranch is now under the ownership of a man who truly understands
our legacy. As well as giving environmental dollars to help reforest areas in Tennessee,
Allan actively plants trees in his hometown. As a history buff, he enjoys restoring properties rich in history. One structure, Craigmiles Opera House, was built in the early 1800s and was a social center where John Phillip
Sousa once performed. Mr. Jones’ restoration efforts have helped it become the Cities signature building in historic downtown Cleveland. Allan Jones is just the man to keep the legacy of Crescent H Ranch alive for
many generations. "What we want to preserve is the laid-back atmosphere. Jackson Hole isn’t a real showy place," said Jones. Thanks to the vision of new ownership, the future looks bright for the "Crown Jewel of the Rocky
Mountain West."

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