Watchtower at Desert View

by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter

Written by renowned Grand Canyon architect Mary Jane Colter, this manual is a response to questions about the sweeping 360-degree view from her 70-foot-tall Watchtower at Desert View. Before its construction, she spent six months investigating archaeology sites in the Four Corners region. Back at the canyon, Colter closely supervised the astounding re-creation of an ancient stone tower rising from the rim rock. In the pages of this book, we gain a rare glimpse in her own words of what inspired each masterful stroke of her design.

Genres: Architecture

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 11, 2015

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a gift otherwise I probably never would have picked it up. It isn't really an area of interest for me, but there were some interesting sections (learning about Kivas, for example).
For most of my reading I kept thinking: this is nothing but an exercise in ego and vanity. A look-at-me-and-what-I-accomplished exercise. But I took some time to research Colter and realized that when she was working and writing her successes really were accomplishments as she fought against the ego of men in the field. This book, or manual, is like a docent guiding a tour around and through the watchtower, the problem for me is that I would rather be with a docent on a tour than read about it. Without the actual architecture in front of me it lacked some of its potential and absent an opportunity to ask follow up questions (why were the square-shouldered pictographs recreated given the violence against women they seem to depict, pg. 69) it served a limited purpose.
As a matter of personal preference I didn't enjoy the excessive use of CAPS LOCK and underlining. I don't think an editor would let that fly today, but in the 1930s maybe that was the norm for such writing.
If you are interested in architecture or Native American history you will enjoy this. Or if you are planning to visit the Grand Canyon this might be a good book to read in advance.

[Amanda Sutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightful! Love that it was written by a female architect from almost one hundred years ago to explain all of the work that went into this project. My favorite parts are when her personality came out. She did an amazing job designing the Desert Watchtower and loved hearing more of the story behind it and how much passion she put into telling as many stories of the native people in this building at the Grand Canyon. I recommend the read if you have visited the Desert Watchtower or are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Colter wrote this explanatory book to be used by drivers and guides taking people to see the Watchtower at Desert View (Grand Canyon) that she designed. This book is intended to answer visitor questions and is full of interesting details that visitors hope to learn on a guided tour.

I felt the book can be divided into three parts: description of designing and building the tower, an explanation of the art in the tower, and the annotated endnotes full of Hopi stories/legends.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot and interesting to read about the landmark from the architect's own words.

[Christopher Tennant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book with a lot of historical knowledge about southwestern tribes and the watchtower itself. A good addition to anyone's shelf.