A rich history in the heart of the Idaho wilderness—100 years in the making.
Grandjean, a small unincorporated community located in Custer County, Idaho, was named after Emile Grandjean, a Danish immigrant and one of the early pioneers in the area. Grandjean first came to the area in the 1870s, and established a homestead in the Sawtooths near what is now the town of Stanley, Idaho.
In the early 1900s, the mining industry in the area began to grow, and Grandjean became a hub for transportation and commerce. During this time, Grandjean also became a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, who were drawn to the area's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
Next up Cougar “Babe” Hansen - She bought the lodge from Emile Grandjean in 1922 and established it as a Lodge in 1927. She ran the Lodge and operated out of Grandjean for 16 years before selling it to the Roden Family in 1938.
Cougar “Babe” Hansen was a legendary figure in the Sawtooth Mountains and a long-time proprietor of the Sawtooth Lodge in Grandjean, Idaho. Her real name was Harriet Hansen.
She earned her nickname "Cougar Babe" because she was an excellent hunter and reportedly killed many cougars in the area. Hansen passed away in 1993, but her legacy lives on in the stories and memories of those who knew her and visited her lodge.
During World War II, the lodge was used as a base for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a program that employed young men to work on public lands. The CCC built many of the trails and bridges that are still in use today in the Sawtooth Mountains.
In the 1960s, the lodge was purchased by the National Park Service, and it became part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Over the years, Sawtooth Lodge has hosted many notable guests, including Ernest Hemingway, who was a frequent visitor to the area.
Today, the Lodge offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and more, making it a perfect base for exploring the stunning beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains.
It serves as the central hub of all activity in Grandjean. From checking in to your cabin, grabbing breakfast and enjoying a hot meal Sawtooth Lodge is the spot.
