North Rim in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

From Canvas to Castles

Wylie Way Camp, 1917-1927

— Grand Canyon National Park —

From Canvas to Castles Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2016

1. From Canvas to Castles Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Early in the twentieth century, wealthy ladies and gentlemen yearning for a peek at the fabled Grand Canyon found few urban comforts along its northern rim. While visitors on the South Rim relaxed in the luxurious accommodations of the cliff-hugging El Tovar, visitors to the isolated North Rim braved the outdoors in canvas tents. Elizabeth Wylie McKee managed the North Rim's main tourist facility, the Wylie Way Camp, from 1917 until 1927.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 36° 11.92′ N, 112° 3.14′ W. Marker is in North Rim, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker can be reached from Grand Canyon Highway (Arizona Route 67) 43 miles south of U.S. 89A, on the left when traveling south. Marker is the leftmost of three panels in an interpretive kiosk located in front of the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Rim AZ 86052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grand Canyon Lodge, 1928-1932 (here, next to this marker); Grand Canyon Lodge, A Legacy Rebuilt (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Grand Canyon Lodge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Summer Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Kaibab Trail Suspension Bridge (approx. 9.9 miles away); How's the View? (approx. 9.9 miles away); The Mighty Colorado? (approx. 9.9 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Rim.

Regarding From Canvas to Castles. National Register of Historic Places #82001721. Grand Canyon Lodge was declared a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Grand Canyon Lodge

Also see . . .
1. Wylie Way Camps. William Wallace Wylie is credited with originating the “permanent camp” concept in the national parks, starting at Yellowstone National Park in the 1880s. His idea was to have a camp with a central dining room and lodge surrounded by individual tent cabins. In 1917, the Union Pacific Railroad asked Wylie to open similar camps at Zion National Park and at Bright Angel Point on the Grand Canyon’s north rim.

Marker detail: Wylie Camp (<i>marker background image</i>) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Wylie Camp (marker background image)

The entrepreneurial Wylie family operated one of Grand Canyon's first tourist camps, located near Bright Angel Point. Park staff removed the last of the tent platforms in 1946.

William Wylie remained at Zion to oversee his facilities there, putting the new enterprise at the Grand Canyon in the hands of his daughter, Elizabeth Wylie McKee. The camp was located about 100 yards northwest of the modern location of the Grand Canyon Lodge. (Submitted on December 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Wylie Way in Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks. The Grand Canyon Wylie Camp continued operations through the 1927 season. That year the NPS solicited bids for a North Rim concessioner that would construct a large lodge facility. The McKees were unable to compete with the corporate giant Union Pacific. UPCo bought the Wylie Camp for $25,000 and negotiated with Elizabeth and Thomas to operate the camp for the 1927 season. (Submitted on December 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Grand Canyon Poster image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Grand Canyon Poster

The completion of the spur line to the South Rim in 1901 transformed the Grand Canyon into one of America's most popular destinations. Far removed from any rail line, the North Rim retained a rustic feel.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2016

4. From Canvas to Castles Marker

(leftmost of three panels in kiosk)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.