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Grand Canyon National Park
History & Culture
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Administrative History
Although first afforded Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument, Grand Canyon did not achieve National Park status until 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. Today Grand Canyon National Park receives close to five million visitors each year - a far cry from the annual visitation of 44,173 which the park received in 1919.
This link takes you to the Administrative History of Grand Canyon National Park, a political and economic history of the park from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present.
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![PREHISTORIC GRANARIES ABOVE NANKOWEAP. PREHISTORIC GRANARIES ABOVE NANKOWEAP.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115022708im_/http://www.nps.gov/grca/historyculture/images/nanko.jpg) |
Granaries above Nankoweap |
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Archeological Resources
The oldest human artifacts found are nearly 12,000 years old and date to the Paleo-Indian period. There has been continuous use and occupation of the park since that time.
The park has recorded over 4,800 archeological resources with an intensive survey of nearly 3% of the park area.
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Archeological remains from the following culture groups are found in Grand Canyon National Park: Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Basketmaker, Ancestral Puebloan (Kayenta and Virgin branches), Cohonina, Cerbat, Pai, Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and Euro-American. Read more...
Grand Canyon National Park Archeology Includes:
The River Monitoring Program
generates data regarding the effects of dam operations on historic properties, identifies ongoing impacts to historic properties within the APE [Area of Potential Effect], and develops and implements remedial measures for treating historic properties subject to damage.
The Vanishing Treasures Program
Grand Canyon National Park is one of 45 National Park Service areas that participate in the Vanishing Treasures Program. The goal of the Vanishing Treasures program is the conservation of architectural remains through research, documentation, and preservation treatment.
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The Ranger Operations Building (1929) |
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Historic Structures in Grand Canyon National Park
National Historic Landmarks
The Grand Canyon Village was listed as a National Historic Landmark District consisting of 257 contributing properties.
National Register of Historic Places
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![EL TOVAR HOTEL - 1905 EL TOVAR HOTEL - 1905](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115022708im_/http://www.nps.gov/grca/historyculture/images/ET0515_1.jpg) |
Grand Canyon N.P. | El Tovar Hotel (1905) |
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Determinations of eligibility have been received for an additional 44 buildings and structures, and nominations are pending for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places for nine trails.
Determination of eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places has been received for 323 archaeological sites along the Colorado River.
List of Classified Structures (LCS): 870 listings LCS is inclusive of the National Historic Landmark and National Register programs currently being reviewed.
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![GRAND CANYON'S DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER GRAND CANYON'S DESERT VIEW WATCHTOWER](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115022708im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRCA_DSC00095.gif) |
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Did You Know?
Building a structure that provides the widest possible view of the Grand Canyon yet harmonizes with its setting was architect Mary Colter's goal when the Santa Fe Railroad hired her in 1930 to design a gift shop and rest area at Desert View Point. The Watchtower opened in May of 1933.
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Last Updated: July 25, 2008 at 17:42 EST |