Wort Hotel, approx. 1941. The growth of Jackson can, perhaps, be traced to the opening of the Wort Hotel in 1941 and the Jackson Hole Lodge to customers in 1942. The Wort hotel was built by Jackson natives John Wort (1902-1992) and Jesse L. Wort (1903-1987) who constructed the hotel on lots their father, liveryman Charles James Wort, purchased in 1915. Charles Wort settled in the area in 1893. Wort Hotel, approx. 1950. Photo courtesy Wort Hotel Collection. As previously noted, gambling has been illegal in Wyoming since 1901 The prohibition was largely ignored in communities such as Jackson. In addition to the Cowboy Bar, the Wort Hotel, featured one-armed bandits when it first opened. The slots, poker, craps roulette, and blackjack were all located in a room just off the Silver Dollar Bar. Slot Machines reflected in backbar mirror, Wort Hotel, approx. 1955. The serpentine bar in the photograph, inlaid with 2,032 silver dollars, was constructed in 1950. Slot Machines, Wort Hotel, approx. 1950. Photo courtesy Wort Hotel Collection. Beginning about 1951, the winds of enforcement of the law began to blow westward out of Cheyenne. On occasion word would be received about a projected raid and slot machines and other gambling gear would be secreted in the hotel manager Steve Bartek's cellar, only to be returned when the peril was over. In 1955, however, Governor Milward Simpson cracked down on the flouting of the law in Jackson. Thus, the gambling in the Wort Hotel was moved to a room in the basement where one had to know a secret password to get in. But Governor Simpson meant it. In 1956. Gov. Simpson secured the resignation of the Teton County sheriff Olin O. Emery (1901-1993) and the suspension of four liquor licenses. Gambling stopped. It should be observed that Sheriff Emery's attitude toward gambling was no different than many small town sheriffs throughout the United States. The writer is reminded of the story of the small town sheriff in another state (names not given to protect the guilty) who was walking by a fraternal lodge. It was summer time and hot. From the open windows came the distinct sounds of slot machines. A little old lady, seeing the Sheriff said, "Sheriff, there is illegal gambling going on in there." "How do you know," replied the sheriff. "Listen, Sheriff," she said, "Don't you hear it." "No, ma'am, I don't hear anything." "Step up on the lawn, Sheriff, and you can hear it." she said. "Ma'am, there's no gambling going on in there, and if you step on the lawn, you will be arrested for trespass," the Sheriff rejoined. All good things must come to an end and the sheriff was ultimately required to raid the lodge. Of course, the Lodge received advance word, and members scurried in to remove the offending equipment which they carried out to a Chevrolet station wagon at the curb. But unfortunately, the Chevrolet had developed a flat tire. The machines were covered with sheets just as the deputies arrived. One of the deputies helped change the tire. The raid was then conducted and nothing found. In a small town in Georgia, a young cub reporter, later a columnist for the Baker County Standard, "Poke McHenry," heard that there had been a burglary of the local American Legion at which the club's slot machines had been stolen. Calling the sheriff to confirm that there had been a burglary. Poke forgot to mention what had been supposedly stolen. Poke was told there was NO burglary of the legion and if he reported the theft of the slot machines, Poke would be in deep trouble. The hue and cry that tourism and growth in Jackson would end without gambling, proved not to be true. Jackson Hole Lodge, West Broadway, Jackson. But, it must be observed, that Wyoming has always undergone change and times have certainly changed in Jackson. Years ago the writer had to be in Jackson and had made reservations at the Buckrail. Arriving late, he discovered the motel dark with a "no-vacancy" sign. Next to the door of the office on a hook he discovered the keys to a room with a note giving the writer a room number and the instructions to "Check-in in the morning." I personally doubt that today the keys would be hanging on a hook by the door. One who perhaps foresaw the impacts of growth in Jackson was Kenny Sailors. Sailors, a three-time All-American basketball player for the University of Wyoming and inventor of the "jump shot", at one time managed the Jackson Hole Lodge. He moved out of Jackson and opened the Heart Six Dude Ranch near Moran. In 1965, he and his wife sold the ranch out to his brother Bud and moved to Alaska. He later explained the move, "I could see that there would be big changes coming and rather than wait to see how it all turned out, I decided it would be exciting to start over in a place that was like Wyoming had been forty or fifty years ago." As quoted by John Christgau, The Origins of the Jump Shot: Eight Men Who Shook the World of Basketball, University of Nebraska Press, 1999. Farm Scene, Jackson Hole, 1930's, photo by Arthur Rothstein For information as to Arthur Rothstein, see Medicine Bow II. Next Page: Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons.