A brief history
By the turn of the twentieth century, in a region of the country still virtually untamed, the Fred Harvey Company partnered with the Santa Fe Railway to become a major force in opening up the wild West and the magnificence of the Grand Canyon to travelers, offering an oasis of civilization in the desert. The Harvey Company established a series of hotels and restaurants near major train stops along the Santa Fe Railway, and provided weary guests with first class service, food, and lodging. Harvey House Hotels became renown for their excellent quality and attention to detail.
Unusual for the time, Fred Harvey hired female architect Mary Colter to design many of the hotels and lodges throughout the Southwest, including historically significant Grand Canyon structures such as Hopi House (1905), Phantom Ranch (1922), Indian Watchtower (1932), and Bright Angel Lodge (1935). Using indigenous construction materials from the surrounding canyon area and Native American design motifs, Colter's vernacular style architecture helped to create what is now referred to as the "National Park Rustic Style." Of the three landmark hotels to be built along the Santa Fe Line, La Posada Hotel became the Harvey Company's centerpiece and Mary Colter's masterwork.
When the hotel opened in 1930, La Posada encompassed Colter's comprehensive vision of an elegant romanticized hacienda styled estate. Integrating Spanish architecture and American Indian art influences into her design of the 70,000 sq. ft. hotel, Colter also created La Posada's interiors, furniture, lavish gardens and courtyards, chinaware, and chambermaids’ costumes. During its peak, the hotel served as a retreat and attracted Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, John Wayne, Howard Hughes, and Lauren Hutton. Yet with the completion of Route 66 and the decline of passenger train travel, the hotel eventually closed in 1952. La Posada was placed on the National Trust Preservation endangered list, until 1997 when it was purchased by Allen Affeldt.
Affeldt immediately began extensive renovations on the property using Mary Colter's creative genius as his inspiration. A treasure restored, today La Posada Hotel offers unique guestroom suites, art gallery, museum, Turquoise Room Restaurant, beautiful gardens, and an opportunity to be magically transformed back to a time rich in history and charm.
Winslow and surrounding areas
Surrounded by the spectacular views of the Painted Desert to the north and the San Francisco Peaks to the west, the historic town of Winslow is located in the arid, high plateau grasslands region of Navajo County. Using Winslow as your home base, there are several great spots worth visiting in the area; some within minutes from the center of town. Explore a glimpse into the past with a visit to Homolovi Ruins, the prehistoric archeological site of the Anazasi Indians. Several hiking trails wind through pueblo village ruins, petroglyphs, and ancient artifacts. For the outdoor enthusiast, Clear Creek is a beautiful spot for hunting, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly, Meteor Crater, and Sunset Crater all within a two hour car drive and are definitely a must see.
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