Grand Canyon Village in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hopi House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023

1. Hopi House Marker

Inscription.

For Mary Colter, [Hopi Housel was an opportunity to re-create the distinctive dwelling of an ancient culture and to acquaint the public with the richness and beauty of Native American art. – Virginia Grattan, Mary Colter: Builder Upon the Red Earth, 1992

Hopi House opened to the public in 1905. In an era when most architects were men, it was Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter's first building. The 36-year-old Colter enlisted the help of local Hopi craftsmen to build Hopi House, using locally quarried stone and wood harvested from the nearby forest. Hopi House was not just a curio store, it was also a place where American Indian artisans lived and worked. Under the watchful eyes of visitors, these artisans would create beautiful jewelry, pottery, blankets, and other items that would then be sold at Hopi House, forging a personal connection to the items visitors purchased there.

[Captions (left to right)]
• Colter modeled Hopi House after centuries old villages on the Hopi Reservation.
• Hopi artisans and their families, in exchange for their artwork and demonstrations, received wages and lodging at Hopi House. Today, various tribes demonstrate traditional dance and art, but they are no longer housed here.

Erected by National Park Service

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 36° 3.465′ N, 112° 8.225′ W. Marker is in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, in Coconino County. It is on El Tovar Road 0.1 miles north of Village Loop Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 El Tovar Rd, Grand Canyon AZ 86023, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Flagstaff & High Country

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: El Tovar Hotel (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named El Tovar Hotel (a few steps from this marker); El Tovar (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hopi House (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Canyon Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Verkamp's Curios Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Fe Depot (about 400 feet away); Grand Canyon Depot (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Canyon Village.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Hopi House (was a few steps from this marker

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 12, 2023

2. Hopi House Marker

but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.