Grand Canyon Architect: Mary Colter

Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter (April 4, 1869 – January 8, 1958) was an American architect and designer. She was one of the very few female American architects of her time. She was the designer of many landmark buildings and spaces for the #FredHarveyCompany and the #SantaFeRailroad notably in #GrandCanyonNationalPark #MaryColter 's work had enormous influence as she helped create a style, blending #SpanishColonialRevival and #MissionRevival architecture with #NativeAmerican (#hopitribe ) motifs and Rustic elements, that became popular throughout the #Southwest #Colter was a perfectionist, who spent a lifetime advocating and defending her aesthetic vision. We see her influence in the sets of MGM’s 1946 #HarveyGirls which highlights the civilizational aspects of the Fred Harvey restaurant company in the American west.

Sources:

#NationalParkService , "Mary Colter's Buildings", https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/colter_index.htm

"Mary Colter", Legends of America, https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mary-colter/

"Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter" , Pioneering Women, https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/mary-elizabeth-jane-colter/

#southwestarchitecture #santafehistory #newmexicohistory #femalearchitect #americanarchitect #artsandcraftsmovement #marycolterdocumentary #grandcanyon #grandcanyonhistory #stoutmanualtrainingschool #stpaul #stpaulwomen #elnavajo #fredkabotie #phantomranch #hermitsrest #lookoutstudio #laposadahotel #lafondahotel #americansouthwest #cowgirl #h1b #hartcellaract