A small hamlet, it was named after William J. Kelly, one of the earliest residents. The present site of Kelly was at first only a ranch. Then two or three others homesteaded in the vicinity. Mr. Kelly started a sawmill in the area. Soon a little settlement grew up which was incorporated on March 25, 1912. (WPA) In June 1925, the whole north end of Sheep Mountain moved suddenly into and across the Gros Ventre Valley, about four miles east of Kelly. The obstructed river created Sudden Lake. On May 18, 1927, the barrier broke, and the flood destroyed several ranches, killed six persons and many animals, and left of Kelly only the church and schoolhouse. (Wyoming Guide) William J. Kelly received a patent on land at this location in 1913. (General Land Office Records)
County:
Teton
Feature Category:
Manmade Features
More Reading:
A Place Called Jackson Hole. John Daugherty. Moose, Wyoming: Grand Teton Natural History Association, 1999
