Hermits Rest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mary Jane Colter Buildings (Hopi House, The Lookout, Hermit's Rest, Phantom Ranch, the Desert View Watchtower, Bright Angel Lodge, and two employee dorms)
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Hermits Rest
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Mary Colter |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001436 |
| Designated NHLD | May 28, 1987 designation |
Hermits Rest is a cool building from 1914 located at the western end of Hermit Road in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. It's a popular spot for visitors to stop and enjoy the amazing views.
The Hermit Trail, a path that goes all the way down to the Colorado River, starts just a short walk from Hermits Rest. This spot also marks the end of the Rim Trail, which runs along the canyon's edge.
The area is named after Louis Boucher, a prospector who lived near here around 1891. He even helped carve the trail into the canyon! The main building at Hermits Rest was designed by a famous architect named Mary Colter. It was built as a resting place for tourists who were traveling by coach to a camp that no longer exists called Hermit Camp. Mary Colter wanted the building to look like it was a natural part of the Grand Canyon landscape.
Hermits Rest is one of four special buildings designed by Mary Jane Colter that are now considered a National Historic Landmark. This means they are very important historical places. These buildings were all made for the Fred Harvey Company, which ran restaurants and hotels for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
What Does Hermits Rest Look Like?
Hermits Rest is built very close to the edge of the Grand Canyon. Part of the building is actually buried in an earth mound, making it blend in with the surroundings. The parts you can see are designed to look like natural rock, except for a big stone chimney.
To get inside, you walk along a path that goes past a stone arch. This arch is decorated with a broken bell that Mary Colter found from an old Spanish mission. There's also a small porch with log posts where you can look out over the canyon.
Inside, the main room is very tall. On one side, there's a cozy, curved area with a fireplace. There's also a snack bar where you can grab a bite. On the other side, there was once a "rug room" where Native American crafts were sold. Mary Colter picked all the furniture and decorations herself, making the whole place feel very old and historic. She even joked that it cost a lot of money to make it look so ancient!
Why is Hermits Rest Special?
Hermits Rest is a really important historical site. It's part of a group of buildings called the Mary Jane Colter Buildings National Historic Landmark. This means it's recognized as a place that tells an important story about American history.
It became a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987. This designation helps protect the building so people can enjoy and learn from it for many years to come.
