Jarvie's Ranch

Along the lower Green River in a canyon that evolved eons ago in the Uinta Range, lies a valley that is lush and green in summer and protected from harsh winter winds. It’s uncertain how Brown’s Park—or Brown’s Hole, as it’s sometimes called—got its name, but it appears to be a quiet and serene place where nothing bad could ever happen. However, that appearance is deceiving. 

Although evidence shows that Native Americans used the valley for generations, the first white man to settle there was probably George Baggs. Baggs was a drover who moved several hundred head of cattle into Brown’s Park in late fall 1871.  He’d planned to wait out the winter, but stayed there with his common-law wife for many years. 

Gradually, more and more cattlemen learned about the valley and its lush forage. Ranches began to crop up all through the area, and soon a community was born.

One of the most famous and well-loved men in the valley was John Jarvie. Jarvie migrated from Scotland when he was in his mid-20s. He decided on Wyoming Territory as the place tostart his new life, opening a saloon on North Front Street in Rock Springs in 1871.

He met young Nellie Barr in 1880, and they were married almost immediately. They decided to move to Brown’s Park to open a store to supply the residents of the valley. The Jarvies eventually built a nice home, but first lived in a cozy dugout in a hill near the riverbank. The dugout and part of the historic site are still there.

Because of the area’s isolation it became a favorite spot for outlaws and those wishing to disappear for a while. With only two ways in and out of the park, it’s easy to understand why it  was popular with unsavory characters.

Outlaws would frequently stop at one of the ranches for food,  water or a fresh horse. The people of the community minded their own business and weren’t overly concerned about a person’s background, as long as the person was honest and fair with the folks in the area.

Two frequent visitors were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Both men were largely accepted in the area because they were polite and helpful. As one old-timer put it, “They neverstole from us, just the railroad.” Both men had a Robin Hood-like reputation in Brown’s Park.Amelia Teters related childhood memories of her family returning to the ranch only to find someone had been in the cabin and eaten a meal. “There would be a silver dollar lying by the dirty dishes to pay for whatever was used,” she said. 

It was unheard-of to turn a stranger away, even if he might be an outlaw. 

The folks in the valley loved John and Nell Jarvie and appreciated having a store nearby. The Jarvies were good to the community and raised a large family. Unfortunately the tradition of helping others was the undoing of John Jarvie. 

On July 6, 1909, Jimmy, the youngest of the Jarvie brood, rode up to the house expecting his dad to meet him on the porch. Instead, he found dry puddles of blood and drag marks in the dirt. He followed the trail to the river and there spotted a clump of long white hair—hair like his father’s—snagged on a bush.

Back at the cabin, young Jarvie found the house ransacked. On the table was evidence of an unfinished meal and an open jug of whiskey.A hew and cry went up throughout the community. Folks searched for John Jarvie’s body and the two men suspected of robbing and killing him. 

George Hood, who was known to dislike Jarvie, had been seen with another man going toward the Jarvie store the day before the disappearance. The ranchers sent to Rock Springs for the sheriff and began trying to pick up the trail of the killers. 

It was a week before the body of the murdered man was found. Archie Jarvie found his father 20 miles downstream on the Green River that his father had so loved. John Jarvie was tied to his overturned row boat and had been beaten and shot in the back.

Although two $500 rewards were offered and posses roamed the hills and hidden canyons for months, Hood and his partner were never found. 

Visitors to Brown’s Park can see the dugout that John and Nell lived in as newlyweds and the stone house where John met his fate. A replica of the store stands close to the original  location.

If a person listens closely, the sounds of children laughing and the bawling of cattle can be faintly heard in the rushing voice of the Green River.

More information about Brown’s Park is available at the Green River Chamber of Commerce:
800-FL-GORGE, or the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce at 800-GO-DUNES.