Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter
Build a structure that provides the widest possible view of Grand Canyon yet harmonizes with its setting: this was architect Mary Colter's goal when the Fred Harvey Company hired her in 1930 to design a gift shop and rest area here at Desert View. Colter's answer was the Watchtower.
A perfectionist, Colter scrutinized every detail, down to the placement of nearly every stone. Each stone was handpicked for size and appearance. Weathered faces were left untouched to give the tower an ancient look. With a lavish, highly publicized dedication ceremony, the Watchtower opened in May 1933.
Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter
For almost 50 years, Mary Colter designed structures and interiors throughout the Southwest for the Fred Harvey Company. Six of her works can be seen at Grand Canyon: Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, Hermits Rest, Phantom Ranch, and the Watchtower.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included National Historic Landmarks series list.
Location. 36° 2.626′ N, 111° 49.553′ W. Marker is in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is near the Watchtower, at Desert View Point, about 0.4 mile NNE of Desert View (East Rim) Drive (Arizona Highway 64). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Canyon AZ 86023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tragedy Remembered (within shouting distance of this marker); 1956 Grand Canyon TWA-United Airlines Aviation Accident Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Tusayan Ruin Trail (approx. 3.1 miles away); Tusayan Museum and Ruin (approx. 3.1 miles away); Spanish Discovery (approx. 6.1 miles away); Mining on Horseshoe Mesa (approx. 9.6 miles away); Grandview, 1898 (approx. 9.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Desert View Pamphlet. (Submitted on January 9, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on January 9, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 13. submitted on January 9, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 14. submitted on January 9, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.