Whenever I drive from Jackson to Hoback Canyon, the Snake River Canyon or beyond, I gaze with curiosity at Teton Mystery. I’ve always wondered what it is. The sign out front doesn’t help at all. A wonder of nature! and amazing! it exclaims, but that doesn’t tell me much.
So, I finally decided to stop and find out what the big sign was screaming about. I coaxed my friend, Heather, into joining me. She lives just a few miles from Teton Mystery and didn’t know what it was either. On principle, she refused to stop at such an obviously ludicrous place. I, on the other hand, have no such principles.
Is Teton Mystery Open?
We discussed what our price point would be — how much were we willing to be ripped off — but never had to test our monetary fortitude. The place was closed. And by the looks of it, it had been closed for a while. Heather ran into the neighboring restaurant, Horse Creek Station, and asked about it and we were given the OK to hop the fence and take a look around.
The sign below didn’t really help us understand what we were about to witness. I felt like I was entering an old timey carnival or something. It was spooky and weird, overgrown, and unloved.
What is Teton Mystery?
Despite the signage, it is an optical illusion. Its basically a little building built on a steep hill. Since the building is crooked and you naturally stay straight, it looks as if everything is off kilter; as if gravity had fallen asleep in the job. (Read more about how Mystery Spots work.)
The crooked house made us both nauseous and we couldn’t stop laughing because when you are there it looks so bizarre even though we knew why. I dont know if the pictures really do it justice, but if you are ever driving from Jackson to Hoback, stop by and ask if you can sneak a peak at the Teton Mystery.
What’s Happening at Teton Mystery Now?
I read somewhere that Teton Mystery is for sale on eBay. I couldn’t find it; if you do, let me know!
Address: 9800 South US Highway 89, Jackson, WY
Admission: Closed. Hop the fence for free AFTER asking permission
UPDATE
July 2016: Teton Mystery Site Approved for Homes (including some affordable housing)
Need more Roadside Attraction inspiration? Check out my post on Washington’s Highway 2 roadside attractions or one of these books from Amazon. Read more about Mystery Spots across the country.
New Roadside America: The Modern Traveler’s Guide to the Wild and Wonderful World of America’s Tourist by Doug Kirby
Lost America: The Abandoned Roadside West by Troy Paiva
Eccentric America, 2nd: The Bradt Travel Guide to All That’s Weird and Wacky in the USAby Jan Friedman
Teton Mystery house is being torn down in order for a new Fire Department to be built there. It has been abandoned for many years and is falling down.
Thanks for the update. It’s kind of sad to see it go, but it has been closed to the public for so long anyway. And Fire Departments are important!
My husband lived on the property and his mom and dad ran the Teton Mystery back in 1957. He was born in the old hospital at Jackson.
No way! That’s so cool. I’d love to know more about Teton Mystery and its history. I guess they just tore down all the buildings at Horse Creek, and were talking about keeping the Teton Mystery building, but you can’t tell from the highway whether it is still there or not.