Billionaire Cubs owner, Joe Ricketts, has sparked controversy with his plans to rename the small town of Bondurant, Wyoming, where he intends to build a 56-acre high-end resort. Ricketts hopes to change the name to Little Jackson Hole, as an homage to American pioneer Davey Jackson. The proposed resort, called Homestead Resort, aims to provide a premium experience that focuses on preserving and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. However, the local community is not pleased with Ricketts’ plans.
During a dinner a few years ago, Ricketts first introduced the idea of renaming the town and presented swag bags to his guests. He commissioned a study to explore potential name variants, including “JacksonLittle Hole” and “Little Jackson Hole,” which aimed to provide documentation of the historical usage of “Jackson’s Little Hole” in the Bondurant area. The census of 2022 reported that Bondurant had a population of 152.
The research revealed that Jackson had two favorite hunting spots in the valley, known as Jackson’s (Big) Hole and Jackson’s Little Hole. While Ricketts believes that renaming the town would enhance its marketability due to its association with Jackson Hole, some citizens are angered by his proposal for a tourist destination in their community.
Pat Burroughs, a resident of Bondurant, expressed her firm opposition to the name change, stating, “We are Bondurant. This is the Upper Hoback.” She also raised concerns about potential confusion for delivery services and shared an incident where a resident had trouble receiving their medication due to the confusion between Bondurant and Little Jackson Hole.
Richard Pearson, who claims to be the oldest lifelong resident of the Hoback Basin Valley, voiced his concerns about the loss of privacy in the community. He criticized Ricketts for buying up multiple properties in the area, stating that it felt like a cancer, with Ricketts “sucking everything up” and acquiring any available land. In addition to the Jackson Fork Ranch property, Ricketts recently purchased the White Pine Ski and Summer Resort, as well as the High Country Suites in Pinedale, further expanding his presence in the region.
Ricketts defended his acquisitions, stating that he wanted to ensure White Pine remains a strong part of the community and continues its tradition of serving local residents. However, the local community remains skeptical of Ricketts’ intentions and fears that their once-private valley will be forever changed by the billionaire’s ambitious plans.
