Name: West Thumb

County: Teton

Authority Name:

GNIS Entry

Longitude:  1103432W

Latitude: 442456N

Legal Description:

Elevation: 7795/2376

(ft/m)

Feature Type: Populated Place

Origin of Name:

[West Thumb is located on the West Thumb bay of Yellowstone Lake.]

The shape of the lake (Yellowstone) was compared by the early explorers to the form of the human hand. The resemblance is exceedingly remote, ... . The "fingers" have now been generally dropped from the maps and replaced by the usual names; but "West Thumb" seems to have become a fixture.

Source: Chittenden  

Other Names: Thumb, Thumb Junction, West Thumb Junction

Alternative Spellings:

History:

Thumb Post Office was established in July, 1936 and discontinued in April, 1973 when it was relocated to Grants Village.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

Stories:

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: West Thumb

Newspapers:

More Information: 

Pictures: