Mary Colter: Architect of the Southwest

by Arnold Berke, Alexander Vertikoff (Photographer)

Mary Colter may well be the best-known unknown architect in the world: her buildings at the Grand Canyon National Park-which include Lookout Tower, Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, and many others-are admired by almost five million visitors a year. This extraordinary book about an extraordinary woman weaves together three stories-the remarkable career of a woman in a man's profession during the late 19th century; the creation of a building and interior style drawn from regional history and landscape; and the exploitation, largely at the hands of the railroads, of the American Southwest for leisure travel.

Genres: Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Art, Travel, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars // A thorough look at Mary Colter (the architect + her work), and the historic environment in which she created. Also contains a focused look on the Fred Harvey Company / Santa Fe Railway collaboration and its influence on southwestern travel. The book contains a wealth of photos and illustrations.

Mary Colter was not a name I knew before this book. But Colter is synonymous with the term "national park service rustic" -- you may have even seen her work at the Grand Canyon. She was perpetually curious, always pursuing exhaustive research and cultural authenticity, and tried to educate through her work.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berke gives sympathetic and enlightening attention to the voracious learner, talented architect and designer, and deservedly better-known Colter. He helpfully sets her work in the context of American architectural thinking of her time and in the history of National Park architecture. The book is also fascinating about how Colter worked with Navahos and Hopis, with sensitivity to both positive and problematic aspects. Best of all, the books is loaded with photos, including many of her buildings and their interiors.

[Rod Zemke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read after visiting the Grand Canyon and staying at Angel Fire, one of the lodges she designed. It was fun to find out that she started her life in St. Paul and taught high school many years before pursuing her second career/act.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just visit the Grand Canyon and you will see the marvelous architecture and design decor of Mary Coulter. This book is filled with photos of her work and scenery of the southwest, not to mention a well written memoir of her unusual life in a world dominated by males in her field of work.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most interesting life Mary Colter had. Her architecture and decorating style was very unique for its time. This book is detailed but worth the time it takes to learn about her.

[Rubina Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve visited many of Mary’s buildings in the Grand Canyon so I was interested in reading about her. The book is very informative. I only wish I could go back and visit the buildings again. I would view them with a different eye.
This book should be used as a guide when visiting the Grand Canyon not read after like I did. Although her other buildings for the Harvey Company that still exist look interesting.
A long read but worth it. There aren’t many female architects.

[Maineguide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after a trip to the Grand Canyon, where I was fascinated by the architecture. I didn’t expect to actually read it, but found her story so interesting and the descriptions of her projects just mesmerizing. Now I want to go do a Mary Colter tour and visit the other (sadly few) hotels and buildings she designed or renovated. A truly impressive story of one woman’s lifetime passion and how she succeeds, despite working in an era where woman were for the most part marginalized or outright ignored.

[Barb Innes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed at La Posada in May! I’ve eaten at La Fonda several times in Santa Fe, too. My brother just stayed at Bright Angel Lodge at Grand Canyon in April. I’m a Kansas girl so Harvey Restaurants and the Santa Fe Railroad have always been history, I’ve enjoyed. This was a well researched and relevant book for me.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview with photos of Mary Colter’s life and work. Read in preparation for a trip to see some of her master works.

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this walking the aisles of the book store at Cal Poly SLO. Required reading for one of the upcoming courses. Just a great read about an amazing woman and the history of the Southwest.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a recent visit to the Grand Canyon and La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ , I had to learn more about Mary Colter. This book fit the bill. It provides an account of Colter's early years (a significant portion of which was spent in St Paul, MN), her post-high school education, and finally her association with the Fred Harvey Company, where, as an architect, she designed & decorated some awesome buildings that have come to symbolize the American Southwest. The book is full of great photographs.

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follow her life and work. I found the pictures of buildings, interiors and art very interesting. Some one who is interested in architecture or the history of Santa Fe RR, Grand Canyon, Fred Harvey Comp. (Harvey Girls, and South West Indian art will find this book intersting.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating woman architect, whose philosophy and talents are given way too little attention even today.

[Michael Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating woman!