Grand Canyon Village in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Two People. Two Parties. One Message
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 15, 2026
1. Two People. Two Parties. One Message Marker
Though members of different political parties, these two great leaders and friends were joined by a bond of mutual respect and common purpose. Their shared love of Grand Canyon National Park and efforts to advance the purposes for which it was established serve as a lasting example of public service.
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years, Congress Morris "Mo" Udall served for nearly one and a half decades as Chairman of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. During his tenure, he developed policies to preserve and protect Grand Canyon National Park.
Arizona Senator John McCain served on the House Interior Committee under Udall's leadership. Inspired by Udall, McCain went on to make his own mark on the history of Grand Canyon and in service to Indigenous people as the Chariman, Vice Chairman, and longtime member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Policies championed by McCain and Udall to preserve and protect
this page online
Protecting the canyon's air quality and the beauty of its vistas
Promoting visitor safety
Stewarding the Colorado River and the park's riparian resources
Extending wilderness protection to the untrammeled lands on the Arizona strip and over 3.5 million acres of Arizona's most spectacular natural areas for the enjoyment of this and future generations
Protecting the sovereignity, dignity, self-determination, and quality of life of the Indigenous people who call Grand Canyon home and all people who value the cultural and spiritual qualities of this natural treasure.
We celebrate these two great Arizonans, their deep friendship and mutual respect, and their contributions to Grand Canyon, along with those of countless public servants and private citizens serving Grand Canyon National Park, past, present, and future.
-udall.gov
-mccainfoundation.org
Erected by National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment •
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 15, 2026
2. Two People. Two Parties. One Message Marker
Location. 36° 3.545′ N, 112° 6.509′ W. Marker is in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, in Coconino County. It can be reached from South Entrance Road. Located near the South Rim Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Grand Canyon Visitor Ctr, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kaibab Trail Suspension Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); How's the View? (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Mighty Colorado? (approx. 0.7 miles away); Horace M. Albright (approx. 1½ miles away); Building One (approx. 1½ miles away); Verkamp's Curios Store (approx. 1½ miles away); Mission 66 (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Canyon Village.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Verkamp's Curios (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
