Indian Watchtower
Final Project: Indian Watchtower at Desert Vie
Final Project: Indian Watchtower at Desert View
February 2, 2013 I returned to the Grand Canyon National Park. It was absolutely a perfect day, nice and sunny with a decent temperature around 45 F not too bad for 7000 feet of elevation, drive from Flagstaff AZ was uneventful, I took off fairly early to allow my self enough time for my research and at the same time to do a small hike down the Canyon.
Each visitor that comes to Grand Canyon National Park and there are about five millions annually, is seeking the perfect viewpoint of the park and the surrounding areas. I was one of them for the second time around. This time I visited park as a part of my final preparation for this class. …show more content…
Artistic masterpiece of famous designer Mary Jane Colter was there again waiting for me and many more that will come after me. The Indian Watchtower was one of many artistic designs and got my attention the very first time I visited this beautiful park. This paper will give a detail description and criticism in regards to this amazing design; I would also like to introduce this famous designer.
Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter was born in 1869 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died January 8,1958 at the age of 88, through her life she grew up in Texas lived in Colorado and California were she attended school of designed in San Francisco she also taught history and architecture at St.
Paul University. In 1901, Mary got a job with Fred Harvey Company her first project was the Indian Building of the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque New Mexico. Over her life span, Mary designed many projects but not all of them survived, there are 6 buildings located at the Park she made a lifelong achievement in architecture and had big contribution to the history of America (http://www.womenheritagetrail.org). As we already know from our history class, 1930’s are known in American History as a depression era. Unfortunately, the great depression did not happen just in America it was worldwide phenomena, were every nation in this universe got sunk into it. Despite the Depression 1930’s period was rich with art, literature, radio, music, and shows. I think what is significant between her architectural designs at the park, and other artwork in this era is that all of these artist want so tell the American History, preserve what’s left, for new times to come for new generations. While she was designing, The Watchover tower she had in mind Native American culture, which is obvious in all of her artwork. She worked closely with another artist Hopi descent, Fred Kabotie; he is the one that …show more content…
actually painted all of the images in this building (http://www.everyculture.com). To design the interior of the tower as well, she want to present Grand Canyon as Native American land were people lived many years before us. She wants to connect this piece of artwork with nature. She has a great sense for history and a big concern for archeology, which is so obvious in this architectural design. She wants to tell the story of American Indians, Native American because this is the site were people will be coming for many years to come, and she knew that this way American history will be preserved. She absolutely achieved what she wanted and will be remembered for many generation to come.
Now, let me take a look at her masterpiece The Indian Watchover Tower.
This beautiful design is located at the eastern end of the South Rim Grand Canyon National Park, completed in 1932 this designed served as a tourist attraction, museum representing Native American culture and a small shop. From my research, and talking to the people that worked at this museum I gathered some interesting information’s, the building itself is 70 foot tall, four story tower designed in a circular motion originally meant to resemble kiva- ceremonial room- many Pueblo groups used this type of rooms for ceremonies. As we are noticing from many designs at Grand Canyon we can conclude that Native American Culture fascinated this architect because with this design it is so obvious that she is representing a nation. This design blends so well with the natural surroundings from far distance you cannot even distinguish it from the surroundings; the tower gives the impression of coming out from the earth like a planted flower. We can see, that material used to build this particular structure were traditional, found in this environment which is another interesting point, she wanted to really preserve the surroundings and its beauty, to use what is there to make clear statements for many years to come. This tower is designed in a circular motion, has tree floors, a central well, and magnificent three hundred and sixty degrees panorama view of the park and surrounding area. In order to survive
intense exposure and environmental changes Colter designed cement foundation and a circular steel frame around which stones were placed in a certain order. Steel frame has a function of a skeleton, the reddish sandstones were picked by hand from the surrounding area the main idea behind this is to preserve nature and design a building that will blend very well with its surroundings. I have to say here job well done and task accomplished. What is so fascinating this hand picked rocks were not worked or cut that why this looks like a part of the canyon. We are noticing just looking closely at the stones itself that she had amazing attention to details because every stone was laid perfectly, and every layer blends amazingly well with the canyon walls. Similar size stones were placed in bands and we are noticing bands of lighter and darker stones so the pattern is not the same, which adds on to the beauty of the design and gives it, modern look as well. On top of the tower, there are a couple of white stones I have asked historian about this he stated, “ to break the monotony of the watch over as the eyes go around the structure.” The stones are in different triangular shape and are placed planed in a decorative pattern. The large walls of the tower appears to have a smooth finish but then as I look up the tower I am noticing large stones protruding from the wall surface, which is so prefect because different use of texture creates a visual depth in the structure. As I was entering this tower for the second time the ground level- main entrance is a large room round observational now small shop selling gifts and Hopi Indian crafts. This room was originally known as kiva room, this room contains some rustic furnishings also large chunks of woods, and it’s roofed with logs, from the beams there are Native American rags displayed. We are noticing flagstone floor and stonewalls as well, from this room directly visitor can go out to an outdoor observation deck. There is also a fireplace located in this room, which originally served as a rest area for visitors. Fireplace was designed so well so that it does not block the view of the canyon and yet visitors could sit and enjoy the fireplace and amazing canyon view. The small staircase will lead as up to the top of the building. I would have to say the most impressive part of the building was the tower interior due to its unique design, but also due to impressive painting and artwork of Fred Kaboti- Hopi decent artist that did an amazing job in this architectural masterpiece, you have a feeling you are back in time just seeing amazing images and the surrounding nature, very well connected together. As I climbed up the stair the space is open shaft, balconies in a circular motion, small staircase that leads visitors to top levels. Each floor is decorated differently representing Hopi life mythology and religious ceremony. The first floor there is a Hopi snake altar apparently the painting tells the story of a Hopi man floating in a hollow log down the Colorado River through the canyon (http://www.everyculture.com/Hopi/History). As we are climbing up, there are small several windows on each level they are placed in a random fashion and are not symmetrical they are of irregular shapes allowing visitors to have a different view of the canyon. Something interesting that I found out as I was looking through the paintings and reaching the top level of the tower one thing to point out, no decorations at all on the last level of the tower again great attention to detail because they want visitors at this point to just enjoy beautiful panoramic view of the park and not to be detract with anything else. So as I reached the last level once again this observation area has a complete floor area covering circular plan and many large trapezoids plate glass windows to overlook Grand Canyon. Once again I was impressed with this architectural design, I was fascinated with her attention to details and her desire to preserve what’s there and to work with it and not against it, to tell the history, to pass something on for generations that will be coming to this place. I am impressed with her commitment to cultural preservation and her commitment to the American History because this place is just that, one historical landmark that will tell the story for many years ahead of us.
While observing and researching for my project I spoke to a couple of people that worked at the museum, and some people that were selling gifts and crafts at the tower. What also amazed me is that they were all so knowledgeable about Mary Colter design, even a seller at the gift shop knew so much about her artwork and appreciation at the park, that is something that really I did not expect at all and was impressed by. They were all proud to be there and tell me more about American History and Native American culture pointing it out that I need to return because there are free classes offered at the canyon to educate the visitors about American heritage, I think knowing and hearing my accent made it more interesting because these people were proud to be who they are, and they want to share there cultural background with newcomers, they were proud Americans. If I was there in their shoes I don’t think I could have done a better job then what they did. I would have the same goal to pass on that knowledge and to be proud of whom I am, and my community because this is site were all over the universe visitors are coming to see this wonder and its nice to share our culture with the rest of the world and to show them that we are proud of our cultural background and history. I was noticing that especially at the Native American population they share the story not just about the tower and grand canyon they asked me if I ever tried pine nuts, and that I can eat as many as I want at the canyon, but the only one who are allowed to take it out are Native Americans and no one else which I was fascinated by as well, and they were so proud even of that, I asked why is that and they said because this is our land and needs to stay here. In general just visiting and traveling the great south land of America I have to say in a short amount of time I have learned so much about the historical and native background that I will share that with my culture as well what I know before was stuff from movies but now my knowledge had expanded so much that I am proud of myself for taking an extra step of getting to know and gathering all of the information.
In conclusion, I can see and understand why Mary was fascinated with this southern lifestyle and culture, coming to American Southwest for the first time I as well, was impressed and fascinated by the landscape and its history. In the male dominated profession this architect represents the woman in different ways her Grand Canyon buildings are original and distinctive she sends a massage for young generations; believe in your self, and respect your cultural heritage, and work with the natural surrounding not against them, use inspiration from the landscape, and create architectural pieces that will tell the story. Colter developed her style of design from the Southwest’s cultures inspired by Native American culture she created unique buildings that represent American History and I felt that her architecture deserves attention in art history. Her architectural designs have integrity, quality and represent her passion for the Southwest. I was honored to visit her designs and study her work. The Watchover tower is a treasure of American History that unfortunately due to environmental changes suffered some damage but is getting restored and maintained on a regular basis.
References Colter, M. E. J. Manual for Drivers and Guides, Descriptive of the Indian Watchtower at
Desert View and its Relation, Architecturally, to the Prehistoric Ruins of the Southwest. Grand
Canyon National Park, AZ: Fred Harvey Company, 1933. Coulter, Mary Jane- Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail. Retrieved Feb 12, 2013 from: http://www.womenheritagetrail.org/women/Mary Colter.php
Hopis - History, Modern era, Acculturation and Assimilation. Retrieved January 28 from: http://www.everyculture.com › Countries and Their Cultures › Ha-La
Kabotie, F. Fred Kabotie, Hopi Indian Artist: an Autobiography Told with Bill Belknap.
Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing, 1977
Kaiser, H. H. Landmarks in the Landscape: Historic Architecture in the National Parks of the West. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1997 Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. A. (2012). The humanities through the arts (Custom ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Mary Colter: The Visionary Behind the Grand Canyon 's Landmark. Retrieved Feb 8, 3013
from: http://www.ohranger.com › Parks › Arizona › Grand Canyon › News
National Park Service History Homepage. Retrieved Feb 8,2013 from: www.nps.gov/npshistory
Final Project: Indian Watchtower at Desert View
February 2, 2013 I returned to the Grand Canyon National Park. It was absolutely a perfect day, nice and sunny with a decent temperature around 45 F not too bad for 7000 feet of elevation, drive from Flagstaff AZ was uneventful, I took off fairly early to allow my self enough time for my research and at the same time to do a small hike down the Canyon.
Each visitor that comes to Grand Canyon National Park and there are about five millions annually, is seeking the perfect viewpoint of the park and the surrounding areas. I was one of them for the second time around. This time I visited park as a part of my final preparation for this class. …show more content…
Artistic masterpiece of famous designer Mary Jane Colter was there again waiting for me and many more that will come after me. The Indian Watchtower was one of many artistic designs and got my attention the very first time I visited this beautiful park. This paper will give a detail description and criticism in regards to this amazing design; I would also like to introduce this famous designer.
Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter was born in 1869 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died January 8,1958 at the age of 88, through her life she grew up in Texas lived in Colorado and California were she attended school of designed in San Francisco she also taught history and architecture at St.
Paul University. In 1901, Mary got a job with Fred Harvey Company her first project was the Indian Building of the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque New Mexico. Over her life span, Mary designed many projects but not all of them survived, there are 6 buildings located at the Park she made a lifelong achievement in architecture and had big contribution to the history of America (http://www.womenheritagetrail.org). As we already know from our history class, 1930’s are known in American History as a depression era. Unfortunately, the great depression did not happen just in America it was worldwide phenomena, were every nation in this universe got sunk into it. Despite the Depression 1930’s period was rich with art, literature, radio, music, and shows. I think what is significant between her architectural designs at the park, and other artwork in this era is that all of these artist want so tell the American History, preserve what’s left, for new times to come for new generations. While she was designing, The Watchover tower she had in mind Native American culture, which is obvious in all of her artwork. She worked closely with another artist Hopi descent, Fred Kabotie; he is the one that …show more content…
actually painted all of the images in this building (http://www.everyculture.com). To design the interior of the tower as well, she want to present Grand Canyon as Native American land were people lived many years before us. She wants to connect this piece of artwork with nature. She has a great sense for history and a big concern for archeology, which is so obvious in this architectural design. She wants to tell the story of American Indians, Native American because this is the site were people will be coming for many years to come, and she knew that this way American history will be preserved. She absolutely achieved what she wanted and will be remembered for many generation to come.
Now, let me take a look at her masterpiece The Indian Watchover Tower.
This beautiful design is located at the eastern end of the South Rim Grand Canyon National Park, completed in 1932 this designed served as a tourist attraction, museum representing Native American culture and a small shop. From my research, and talking to the people that worked at this museum I gathered some interesting information’s, the building itself is 70 foot tall, four story tower designed in a circular motion originally meant to resemble kiva- ceremonial room- many Pueblo groups used this type of rooms for ceremonies. As we are noticing from many designs at Grand Canyon we can conclude that Native American Culture fascinated this architect because with this design it is so obvious that she is representing a nation. This design blends so well with the natural surroundings from far distance you cannot even distinguish it from the surroundings; the tower gives the impression of coming out from the earth like a planted flower. We can see, that material used to build this particular structure were traditional, found in this environment which is another interesting point, she wanted to really preserve the surroundings and its beauty, to use what is there to make clear statements for many years to come. This tower is designed in a circular motion, has tree floors, a central well, and magnificent three hundred and sixty degrees panorama view of the park and surrounding area. In order to survive
intense exposure and environmental changes Colter designed cement foundation and a circular steel frame around which stones were placed in a certain order. Steel frame has a function of a skeleton, the reddish sandstones were picked by hand from the surrounding area the main idea behind this is to preserve nature and design a building that will blend very well with its surroundings. I have to say here job well done and task accomplished. What is so fascinating this hand picked rocks were not worked or cut that why this looks like a part of the canyon. We are noticing just looking closely at the stones itself that she had amazing attention to details because every stone was laid perfectly, and every layer blends amazingly well with the canyon walls. Similar size stones were placed in bands and we are noticing bands of lighter and darker stones so the pattern is not the same, which adds on to the beauty of the design and gives it, modern look as well. On top of the tower, there are a couple of white stones I have asked historian about this he stated, “ to break the monotony of the watch over as the eyes go around the structure.” The stones are in different triangular shape and are placed planed in a decorative pattern. The large walls of the tower appears to have a smooth finish but then as I look up the tower I am noticing large stones protruding from the wall surface, which is so prefect because different use of texture creates a visual depth in the structure. As I was entering this tower for the second time the ground level- main entrance is a large room round observational now small shop selling gifts and Hopi Indian crafts. This room was originally known as kiva room, this room contains some rustic furnishings also large chunks of woods, and it’s roofed with logs, from the beams there are Native American rags displayed. We are noticing flagstone floor and stonewalls as well, from this room directly visitor can go out to an outdoor observation deck. There is also a fireplace located in this room, which originally served as a rest area for visitors. Fireplace was designed so well so that it does not block the view of the canyon and yet visitors could sit and enjoy the fireplace and amazing canyon view. The small staircase will lead as up to the top of the building. I would have to say the most impressive part of the building was the tower interior due to its unique design, but also due to impressive painting and artwork of Fred Kaboti- Hopi decent artist that did an amazing job in this architectural masterpiece, you have a feeling you are back in time just seeing amazing images and the surrounding nature, very well connected together. As I climbed up the stair the space is open shaft, balconies in a circular motion, small staircase that leads visitors to top levels. Each floor is decorated differently representing Hopi life mythology and religious ceremony. The first floor there is a Hopi snake altar apparently the painting tells the story of a Hopi man floating in a hollow log down the Colorado River through the canyon (http://www.everyculture.com/Hopi/History). As we are climbing up, there are small several windows on each level they are placed in a random fashion and are not symmetrical they are of irregular shapes allowing visitors to have a different view of the canyon. Something interesting that I found out as I was looking through the paintings and reaching the top level of the tower one thing to point out, no decorations at all on the last level of the tower again great attention to detail because they want visitors at this point to just enjoy beautiful panoramic view of the park and not to be detract with anything else. So as I reached the last level once again this observation area has a complete floor area covering circular plan and many large trapezoids plate glass windows to overlook Grand Canyon. Once again I was impressed with this architectural design, I was fascinated with her attention to details and her desire to preserve what’s there and to work with it and not against it, to tell the history, to pass something on for generations that will be coming to this place. I am impressed with her commitment to cultural preservation and her commitment to the American History because this place is just that, one historical landmark that will tell the story for many years ahead of us.
While observing and researching for my project I spoke to a couple of people that worked at the museum, and some people that were selling gifts and crafts at the tower. What also amazed me is that they were all so knowledgeable about Mary Colter design, even a seller at the gift shop knew so much about her artwork and appreciation at the park, that is something that really I did not expect at all and was impressed by. They were all proud to be there and tell me more about American History and Native American culture pointing it out that I need to return because there are free classes offered at the canyon to educate the visitors about American heritage, I think knowing and hearing my accent made it more interesting because these people were proud to be who they are, and they want to share there cultural background with newcomers, they were proud Americans. If I was there in their shoes I don’t think I could have done a better job then what they did. I would have the same goal to pass on that knowledge and to be proud of whom I am, and my community because this is site were all over the universe visitors are coming to see this wonder and its nice to share our culture with the rest of the world and to show them that we are proud of our cultural background and history. I was noticing that especially at the Native American population they share the story not just about the tower and grand canyon they asked me if I ever tried pine nuts, and that I can eat as many as I want at the canyon, but the only one who are allowed to take it out are Native Americans and no one else which I was fascinated by as well, and they were so proud even of that, I asked why is that and they said because this is our land and needs to stay here. In general just visiting and traveling the great south land of America I have to say in a short amount of time I have learned so much about the historical and native background that I will share that with my culture as well what I know before was stuff from movies but now my knowledge had expanded so much that I am proud of myself for taking an extra step of getting to know and gathering all of the information.
In conclusion, I can see and understand why Mary was fascinated with this southern lifestyle and culture, coming to American Southwest for the first time I as well, was impressed and fascinated by the landscape and its history. In the male dominated profession this architect represents the woman in different ways her Grand Canyon buildings are original and distinctive she sends a massage for young generations; believe in your self, and respect your cultural heritage, and work with the natural surrounding not against them, use inspiration from the landscape, and create architectural pieces that will tell the story. Colter developed her style of design from the Southwest’s cultures inspired by Native American culture she created unique buildings that represent American History and I felt that her architecture deserves attention in art history. Her architectural designs have integrity, quality and represent her passion for the Southwest. I was honored to visit her designs and study her work. The Watchover tower is a treasure of American History that unfortunately due to environmental changes suffered some damage but is getting restored and maintained on a regular basis.
References Colter, M. E. J. Manual for Drivers and Guides, Descriptive of the Indian Watchtower at
Desert View and its Relation, Architecturally, to the Prehistoric Ruins of the Southwest. Grand
Canyon National Park, AZ: Fred Harvey Company, 1933. Coulter, Mary Jane- Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail. Retrieved Feb 12, 2013 from: http://www.womenheritagetrail.org/women/Mary Colter.php
Hopis - History, Modern era, Acculturation and Assimilation. Retrieved January 28 from: http://www.everyculture.com › Countries and Their Cultures › Ha-La
Kabotie, F. Fred Kabotie, Hopi Indian Artist: an Autobiography Told with Bill Belknap.
Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing, 1977
Kaiser, H. H. Landmarks in the Landscape: Historic Architecture in the National Parks of the West. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1997 Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. A. (2012). The humanities through the arts (Custom ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Mary Colter: The Visionary Behind the Grand Canyon 's Landmark. Retrieved Feb 8, 3013
from: http://www.ohranger.com › Parks › Arizona › Grand Canyon › News
National Park Service History Homepage. Retrieved Feb 8,2013 from: www.nps.gov/npshistory