These four structures reflect the Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter's important work in Park architecture over the first three decades of the 20th century. The Hopi House (1905) is modeled after a Hopi Pueblo and its design was a product of a movement in the Southwest to preserve tangible aspects of Indian cultures. The Lookout (1914) was the first building, in what became a National Park area, to appear to grow out of the landscape; it serves as a prime lesson in creating architecture harmonious with landscape. Hermit's Rest (1914) is similar to The Lookout, but has many aspects of a medieval fairytale castle, creating a sense of nostalgia. Desert View Watchtower (1931) has particularly noteworthy interior spaces based on circular forms; archeology and ethno history played a large part in the design of this towered overlook.

Information provided by the National Registry of Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service