In 1985, Harrison Ford bought an 800-acre ranch along Wyoming's Snake River. 41 years later, 389 acres remain protected by conservation easements as wildlife habitat now

For some people, home is more than a place to live. It can be a retreat from a demanding career, a link to nature, and a piece of land worth protecting for generations. For Harrison Ford, his Wyoming property became all three.

After establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Ford started looking for a place away from Southern California. His search eventually led him to Jackson Hole, where he and his wife at the time, Melissa Mathison, discovered an 800-acre property along the Snake River.

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Finding a Home in Jackson Hole

Ford had lived in Los Angeles since leaving Ripon College in the 1960s. Before becoming a major film star, he worked as a carpenter while attempting to establish himself as an actor. His reputation as a skilled craftsman eventually led him to complete projects for musician Sergio Mendes, actress Sally Kellerman, and director Richard Fleischer.

His acting career changed dramatically with the success of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Blade Runner. As his career grew, his days as a professional carpenter came to an end.

After Return of the Jedi became a box-office success in 1983, Ford was ready for a different kind of life away from Southern California. He and Mathison primarily explored properties around Sun Valley before turning their attention to Jackson Hole.

“I think we all get something set in our heads early on. And the first time I saw Jackson Hole, I said, ‘This is the place that’s been in my mind all the time,’” Ford told biographer Garry Jenkins.

The 800-Acre Retreat

The Jackson Hole property immediately appealed to Ford and his wife because of its natural surroundings. The land stretched along the Snake River and included pastures where elk and mule deer moved through the region. Bald eagles and blue herons nested there, while native cutthroat trout could be found in the water.

Ford later explained what attracted him to the property: “It was about water, streams, trees, animals, a grand expression of nature. The Tetons rising sharply from a flat, high mountain plateau.”

They chose the entire property.

Building a Wyoming Retreat

Buying the land was only the start. Ford eventually designed a new home for the property while he was working in Paris on Frantic, directed by Roman Polanski.

While on location, Ford sketched out his plans for the Wyoming retreat. Workers coming at the Jackson property each morning would discover new instructions from Ford waiting for them on the fax machine.

The plans eventually became a carefully designed home featuring comprehended cabinetry and windows placed to capture views of the mountains.

Writer Jim Harrison, who later visited Ford, observed, “In terms of details, people don’t build houses like that.”

Ford later came back to Wyoming and helped several of the contractors who worked on the main house build a guest house and a large barn. The barn gradually became his workshop.

A Different Kind of Celebrity Life

Over the years, Jackson Hole developed from a relatively quiet cow town into a major resort destination. During the summer months, over 3 million visitors travel to Grand Teton National Park and nearby Yellowstone.

Ford, however, sought a quieter and more ordinary existence there.

He described the practical work that came with living on the property: “I’ll fix a fence, repair a piece of equipment, or plow the driveway if there’s snow. There’s always plenty of work to do.”

When Hollywood Came to Wyoming

Although Ford wanted Jackson Hole to offer an escape from his Hollywood life, his celebrity sometimes followed him there.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton celebrated his 50th birthday in Jackson Hole. Ford and Mathison attended the birthday dinner and were seated at the head table with the president.

At the time, Ford was getting ready to begin production on Air Force One, in which he was cast as the president of the United States. Clinton subsequently gave Ford and director Wolfgang Petersen access to Air Force One during his Wyoming visit.

Ford’s Connection to Flying and Rescue

Ford’s life in Wyoming is also associated with his experience as a pilot. He routinely provided his flying skills for mountain rescue missions.

Although he generally downplayed his role as a Teton County sheriff’s deputy, Ford once rescued a climber stranded on 11,106-foot Table Mountain.

He also participated in the search for a missing Utah Boy Scout in Yellowstone. Ford and another rescuer situated the 13-year-old boy around 10 miles from camp. Ford landed nearby and transported the exhausted scout to safety.

Protecting the Land

Ford’s move to Jackson Hole also strengthened his interest in environmental conservation. He became an active board member of Conservation International and remained to play a role in shaping the company's goal to conserve biodiversity in the world.

His commitment to conservation extended to his own property.

Beginning in 1985, Ford donated a series of conservation easements on the land. These easements prohibit substantial development or other development that would impair wildlife and natural resources in much of the property.

A ranch, a retreat and a conservation legacy

Harrison Ford’s Wyoming ranch features more than a retreat from Hollywood. From the moment he found Jackson Hole, the land became a place where he could reconnect with nature, live a more hands-on life and find the balance he valued. His conservation easements included another phase to that connection, helping protect wildlife habitat and natural resources from substantial development. Through his choices, the ranch became not only a personal sanctuary but also part of a wider attempt to preserve the natural character of the Jackson Hole place for the future.

Source: ABC News