A large water feature that looks like a lake but is being called a “habitat pond” is among the more prominent of new features and structures proposed by billionaire Joe Ricketts for the former Granite Creek Ranch, which also lies in an important watershed for one of Wyoming’s best trout fisheries, the Hoback River, in the Gros Ventre Wilderness.
Ameritrade founder and Chicago Cubs owner Ricketts bought the ranch last fall, beating out the U.S. Forest Service, which had also sought to buy the property.
In Rickett’s proposal, Granite Creek Ranch also gets a brand-new name. It will be called “The Hawken,” a name derived from a muzzle-loading rifle popular during the Rendezvous era of the Rocky Mountain fur trade.
The rifle was commonly used on the plains by many mountain men, including one of the most famous, James Bridger. It takes its name from its designers, Jacob and Samuel Hawken, who owned a gun shop in St. Louis during the fur trade era.
“The name carries special resonance for those familiar with shooting sports,” Ricketts spokeswoman Jessica Jaubert told Cowboy State Daily by email. “Additionally, the ‘hawk’ element subtly ties to our conservation initiatives, creating a bridge between historical preservation and environmental stewardship.”
If the latter comment about conservation initiatives sounds familiar, there’s a good reason for that. It’s an echo from the theme of Ricketts’ abandoned Homestead Resort proposal in Bondurant, where the billionaire founder of Ameritrade and co-owner of the Chicago Cubs had hoped to set up a posh resort that would cater to the wealthy, as well as showcase the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
“In everything we do in Wyoming, our focus is on conservation and providing opportunities to recreate, learn and grow in the Yellowstone ecosystem,” Jaubert said.
But, despite such ideals, Ricketts’ proposal sparked an outcry in Bondurant, where residents told Cowboy State Daily they did not feel the resort was an appropriate development for their bedroom community and that they did not want to be known as “Little Jackson Hole.”
What’s In The New Plan
Cowboy State Daily has asked for more details on the “habitat pond,” but had not received a response by the time this article was posted.
In addition to the water feature, Ricketts’ proposal does include several new structures. There’s a brand new main lodge, new cabins, a spa facility, and a naturalist center.
Some existing facilities will be repurposed as workforce housing and one historical cabin will be converged into a warming hut, which is a place where people go to get warm during winter activities.
A fine dining restaurant will be part of the design, which will feature “locally sourced ingredients, a stylish bar and a cozy gathering space.”
There will be 10 private cabins, grouped into clusters — Meadow, Creek, and Forest Cabins — which will offer a secluded and intimate lodging experience. Each cluster will have its own central gathering area.
The Naturalist Center will offer workshops, guided activities and curated programs to “immerse guests in the regions rich biodiversity” as well as retail space to showcase local and sustainable products.
Programs will rotate based on the season of the year. The summer will include long excursions and adventures, while the fall will feature vintner weekends and artist showcases. In the winter, the resort will focus on winter recreation opportunities.
In all the resort will be 22,000 square feet when complete, on the 33.6-acre site.
Jaubert would not say how much money Ricketts proposes to invest in the design and construction of the new resort.
“I can’t share the exact numbers,” she said. “However, we’ve allocated sufficient resources to ensure the project’s success.”
Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.
