Antler Arches

Day 3
We arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming today after another scenic drive. Jackson is a really pretty town with a lovely town square
These antler arches that decorate the four corners of Jackson Hole’s square have become a landmark in the town with almost four million tourists a year visiting Jackson and most of them wanting to be photographed in front of one of the iconic arches. The first arch was built in 1953, followed by the remaining three over ten years later.
Since their construction, the arches have been a beloved monument of Jackson to tourists and locals alike. The arches comprise of Elk antlers and are a beautiful representation of the old west, wildlife, and natural beauty. In 1954, the Rotary Club originally amassed the funding to create the arches.
Over fifty years later, the Rotary Club once again raised the money to rebuild the deteriorating arches. Most of antlers are bought from the local Boy Scouts, who collect antlers from the Elk Refuge each year and hold an auction as part of their fundraising.
The arches are a work of art, as each arch is made of around 2,000 antlers, which weigh in at 10,000 to 12,000 lbs. Many visitors wrongly assume that the antlers are a product of hunting. 'No Elk were harmed in the making of the arches'. Elk naturally shed their antlers each year and they are collected from the ground. The antlers are then woven around a steel frame one at a time. some are screwed in place in an effort to prevent theft or vandalism. Because the arches are a natural organic material they are extremely vulnerable to deterioration through wear and tear and the effects of the weather.
Hopefully they will continue to be well looked after.