Jenny Lake was the first area developed for recreation in this national park. Since the early 1900s, it has been a popular place for hiking, boating, swimming, and photography, offering the splendid scenery and outdoor activities that first drew visitors to this rugged landscape in the early 20th century. In 1872, explorers with the Hayden Expedition named the lake to honor their guide Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh’s wife, a Shoshone Indian named Jenny. Many of the historic buildings in the area date to the 1920s and 1930s, and their rustic log construction harmonizes with the landscape. In 1990, the National Register of Historic Places designated the area a historic district.