Named in honor of early Grand Canyon explorer Pedro de Tovar, the El Tovar Lodge is one of the most recognizable and iconic structures along the Canyon's rim. In 1905, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, constructed the state-of-the art hotel to better service the growing crowds of tourists travelling to the Grand Canyon via the newly built railroad line.

After construction, businessman Fred Harvey operated the hotel as one of his famous Harvey Houses, all located along western railroad lines packed with travelers and tourists. Boasting all of the latest technological innovations and guest amenities -- including its own green houses, chicken coups, and dairy cows -- the hotel drew affluent visitors from all over the United States throughout the early twentieth century.

Beyond simply serving the needs of wealthy tourists, the hotel's presence and attraction helped to spur environmental interest in the area eventually leading to the congressional designation of the Grand Canyon as a National Park in 1919.

Following the Park's creation, the hotel underwent numerous renovations to keep up with the changing needs of its guests which included several U.S. Presidents, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries.

In the 1980s, the Federal Government confirmed the historical significance of the El Tovar Lodge and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places, forever securing its place within the story of the Grand Canyon's development as an International Heritage Site and globally recognized natural wonder.

From its early twentieth century beginnings, the historic El Tovar still draws visitors wishing to experience both the national heritage of the lodge and the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Credits and Sources:

Researched and written by UWF Public History Graduate Student Grant Czubinski