Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

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Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
CDP
Grand Canyon Village-Grand Canyon Railroad Station-1901-2.jpg
Historic Grand Canyon Railroad Depot
Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Location of Grand Canyon Village in Coconino County, Arizona
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 36°02′57″N112°09′24″W / 36.04917°N 112.15667°W / 36.04917; -112.15667
CountryUnited States
State Arizona
County Coconino County
Area
[1]
  Total
26.66 sq mi (69.05 km2)
  Land26.64 sq mi (69.01 km2)
  Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
[2]
6,804 ft (2,074 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
1,784
  Density66.96/sq mi (25.85/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (MST)
ZIP Code
86023
Area code 928
FIPS code 04-2408314
GNIS feature ID2408314 [2]
Grand Canyon Village Historic District
GC Village.jpg
Grand Canyon Village
Location Grand Canyon, Arizona
Coordinates 36°3′20″N112°8′18″W / 36.05556°N 112.13833°W / 36.05556; -112.13833
Architect Daniel Ray Hull, Kolb, Ellsworth & Emery; Mary E.J. Colter
Charles Whittlesey
Architectural style Park Service Rustic, Pueblo, Bungalow/craftsman
NRHP reference No. 75000343  (original)
95001226  (increase)
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 20, 1975
Boundary increaseOctober 24, 1995 [3]
Designated NHLDFebruary 18, 1987 [4]

Grand Canyon Village is a census-designated place (CDP) located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. Its population was 2,004 at the 2010 Census. [5] Located in Grand Canyon National Park, it is wholly focused on accommodating tourists visiting the canyon. Its origins trace back to the railroad completed from Williams, to the canyon's South Rim by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1901. Many of the structures in use today date from that period. The village contains numerous landmark buildings, and its historic core is a National Historic Landmark District, designated for its outstanding implementation of town design. The Grand Canyon Village Historic District includes numerous landmark park structures, many of which are National Historic Landmarks themselves, or are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town design as a whole is also significant for its attention to integration with the Grand Canyon landscape, its incorporation of National Park Service Rustic design elements, and for the idiosyncratic design of park concessioner structures such as the El Tovar Hotel.

Contents

Design and history

Grand Canyon Village was planned by the National Park Service to be a comprehensive development for tourism on the South Rim. It is the largest example of Park Service town planning extant in the national park system. Initially centered on the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway, the village expanded as both the Park Service and the park concessioner, the Fred Harvey Company, built or expanded facilities. Initial development was centered on the El Tovar Hotel and the Bright Angel Lodge, both concessioner-operated facilities. The El Tovar was opened in 1905 as a destination hotel on the canyon rim by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, who owned the Grand Canyon spur. A new train depot was built next to the hotel by the railway in 1909. Nearly all early development at the village was undertaken by concessioners. [6] [7]

In 1910, while the Grand Canyon was still designated a national monument, Secretary of the Interior Richard A. Ballinger suggested that a plan be established before further development took place at the South Rim. Mark Daniels, the general superintendent of the parks from 1914, called for similar comprehensive planning to establish water and sewer systems, power distribution and telephone networks. A 1924 master plan by National Park Service landscape architect Daniel Ray Hull established a "village square" at the intersection of the railroad and east road just below the El Tovar. The first park administration building was established there. Hull used the local topography, dictated by Bright Angel Wash valley's topography, with residential neighborhoods on two small hills divided by a branch of the Bright Angel drainage, away from the main south entrance road down Bright Angel and keeping hotel development in the area of the Bright Angel Camp and the El Tovar. Another square or plaza was intended where the new south entrance road approached the rim, surrounded by another administration building, a post office, and a proposed museum. Over time, the plaza became a parking area. Treatment of residential areas varied, including use of bungalows. Park Service housing was arranged so that automobile access was to the rear, with the house fronts oriented to a central communal space. Grand Canyon Village is one of the earliest uses of this arrangement in a planned community, predating its use at Radburn, New Jersey by Clarence Stein and Henry Wright. Housing for Fred Harvey Company personnel was arranged in a more traditional street-facing arrangement, with a parallel system of alleys for access to garages at the rear of the lots. [6]

Much of the work that was accomplished in the late 1930s was done by Civilian Conservation Corps labor, particularly the landscaping, which involved the transplantation of native vegetation into areas that had been disturbed by construction. [6]

Landmark designation

The village's initial listing on the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1975 [8] included 39 buildings, then was expanded in 1982 to include the Bright Angel Lodge and an additional 25 buildings. The district was declared a National Historic Landmark District on February 18, 1987. On October 24, 1995 the district was again expanded to include the historic center of Grand Canyon Village. The present district includes 247 buildings, 55 landscape structures and three sites. The NRHP district differs from the NHL district by its inclusion of two non-contiguous cemeteries, not part of the NHL since they have no association with park architecture. [9]

Geography and transportation

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.4 square miles (35 km2), all land. [10]

It is located 180 miles (290 km) north of Phoenix, [11] and 168 miles (270 km) from Las Vegas. [12]

Groome Transportation provides scheduled service between Grand Canyon Village and Flagstaff, Arizona. [13] Trans-Canyon Shuttle provides seasonal scheduled services between Grand Canyon Village and North Rim, Arizona, and seasonal service between Grand Canyon Village and Marble Canyon. [14] National Park Express provides a daily shuttle between Page and Grand Canyon Village. [15]

The Grand Canyon Railway connects the Grand Canyon Depot in Grand Canyon Village with the Williams Depot in Williams, Arizona. Connections were offered to Amtrak's Williams Junction station until 2017, when the station was closed.

The National Park Service operates free shuttle buses on the South Rim. [16]

Climate

Climate data for Grand Canyon Village, Arizona (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1976-2012)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)64
(18)
69
(21)
77
(25)
82
(28)
92
(33)
97
(36)
101
(38)
97
(36)
93
(34)
89
(32)
74
(23)
65
(18)
101
(38)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)44.3
(6.8)
46.3
(7.9)
53.6
(12.0)
60.9
(16.1)
69.9
(21.1)
82.0
(27.8)
84.9
(29.4)
82.1
(27.8)
75.8
(24.3)
64.6
(18.1)
53.2
(11.8)
43.0
(6.1)
63.4
(17.4)
Daily mean °F (°C)31.7
(−0.2)
33.7
(0.9)
39.3
(4.1)
44.9
(7.2)
52.8
(11.6)
62.5
(16.9)
67.7
(19.8)
65.9
(18.8)
59.8
(15.4)
49.0
(9.4)
39.0
(3.9)
30.6
(−0.8)
48.1
(8.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)19.2
(−7.1)
21.1
(−6.1)
25.0
(−3.9)
28.8
(−1.8)
35.6
(2.0)
43.0
(6.1)
50.4
(10.2)
49.8
(9.9)
43.7
(6.5)
33.3
(0.7)
24.7
(−4.1)
18.2
(−7.7)
32.7
(0.4)
Record low °F (°C)−17
(−27)
−20
(−29)
−1
(−18)
8
(−13)
16
(−9)
25
(−4)
35
(2)
35
(2)
24
(−4)
8
(−13)
−6
(−21)
−20
(−29)
−20
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm)1.76
(45)
1.23
(31)
1.85
(47)
0.64
(16)
0.4
(10)
0.22
(5.6)
2.33
(59)
2.19
(56)
1.5
(38)
1.23
(31)
0.77
(20)
1.25
(32)
15.37
(390.6)
Average snowfall inches (cm)12.9
(33)
7.8
(20)
8.1
(21)
2.8
(7.1)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.1
(2.8)
2.2
(5.6)
8.0
(20)
43
(109.75)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)6.46.15.93.52.61.77.010.15.75.14.06.064.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 in)4.03.32.91.20.10.00.00.00.00.71.33.517
Source: NOAA [17] [18]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1990 1,499
2000 1,460−2.6%
2010 2,00437.3%
2020 1,784−11.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [19]

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,460 people, 651 households, and 345 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 108.6 inhabitants per square mile (41.9/km2). There were 791 housing units at an average density of 100.8 per square mile (38.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 73.7% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 18.8% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. 10.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [20]

There were 651 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 41.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 2.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $53,676. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $23,565 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,923. About 1.7% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Media

KUGO 102.5 FM is licensed to Grand Canyon Village and broadcasts travelers' information for visitors to the Grand Canyon. [21]

Education

The area is served by the Grand Canyon Unified School District, which includes Grand Canyon High School. [22]

Historic structures

Grand Canyon Railway Diesel Locomotive No. 6776-Alco FPA-4 built in 1958 Grand Canyon Village-Diesel Engine No. 6776-1959.jpg
Grand Canyon Railway Diesel Locomotive No. 6776-Alco FPA-4 built in 1958

The district includes a number of significant structures, some of them National Historic Landmarks in their own right, with several others individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings can be divided into two categories: the fanciful structures built by park concessioners, many of which were designed by Mary Colter, and the more restrained examples of National Park Service Rustic architecture designed by Hull and Thomas Chalmers Vint for park administration and housing. [23] Concessioner structures include:

Park Service structures include:

Other contributing buildings include dormitories, service shops, a jail, a firehouse, the park hospital, a post office and two schools. Non-contributing structures include the Thunderbird and Kachina lodges between the Bright Angel Lodge and the El Tovar. [23] Many of the contributing features and structures in Grand Canyon Village are simple landscape structures such as sidewalks, retaining walls and culverts. The canyon rim stone wall is the principle defining feature of the area, constructed in stages between 1905 and 1934. 44 such structures have been identified as contributing features, mostly built of local Kaibab limestone. [23]

See also

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  4. "Grand Canyon Village Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  5. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Grand Canyon Village CDP, Arizona". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Scott, Michael P.; Chappell, Gordon; Jackson, Robbyn; Donahoe, Jamie; Begley, Susan; Carr, Ethan (September 13, 1996). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Grand Canyon Village". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  7. Chappell, Gordon (May 10, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Grand Canyon Village Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  8. "Federal Register: 44 Fed. Reg. 7107" (PDF). U.S. Government. February 6, 1979. p. 243.
  9. Scott, Michael P.; Chappell, Gordon; Jackson, Robbyn; Donahoe, Jamie; Begley, Susan; Carr, Ethan (September 13, 1996). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Grand Canyon Village". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  10. "Grand Canyon Village CDP, Arizona – Basic Facts". AZ Hometown Locator. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  11. "Distance from Phoenix, AZ to Grand Canyon Village, AZ". check-distance.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  12. "Distance from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon Village, AZ". check-distance.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  13. "How Do I Travel to the South Rim? – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)".
  14. "Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Transportation for Hikers". www.trans-canyonshuttle.com.
  15. "Our Tours – National Park Express". May 23, 2022.
  16. "South Rim Shuttle Bus Routes: Spring 2023 – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
  17. "Station: GRAND CANYON NP 2, AZ US USC00023596" (PDF). ncei.noaa.gov. National Centers for Environmental Information. pp. 1–3. Retrieved August 11, 2024. Elev: 6785 ft. Lat: 36.0528° N Lon: 112.1503° W
  18. "Monthly summarized data: GRAND CANYON NP 2". NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data. National Weather Service . Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. KUGO-FM 102.5 MHz, radio-locator.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  22. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Coconino County, AZ" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 1 (PDF p. 2/5). Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Michael P.; Chappell, Gordon; Jackson, Robbyn; Donahoe, Jamie; Begley, Susan; Carr, Ethan (September 13, 1996). "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Grand Canyon Village". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  24. "Grand Canyon Depot". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
  25. Anderson, Michael F. (2008). "Bright Angel Hotel & Lodge". Arizona State University/Grand Canyon Association. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  26. Holland, F.R. (August 31, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Buckey O'Neill Cabin". National Park Service. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  27. 1 2 Harrison, Laura Soulliere (1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Mary E.J. Colter Buildings". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  28. Holland, F. Ross (August 31, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: El Tovar Stables". National Park Service. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  29. Youngs, Yolonda (2008). "Kolb Studio". Nature, Culture and History at the Grand Canyon. Arizona State University/Grand Canyon Association. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  30. "Verkamp's Visitor Center". Grand Canyon National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  31. Gerke, Sarah Bohl (2008). "Verkamps". Nature, History and Culture at the Grand Canyon. Arizona State University/Grand Canyon Association. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  32. ""Grand Canyon Power House", 1986, by Laura Soullière Harrison (National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination)" (pdf). National Park Service. 1986.
  33. Laura Soulliere Harrison (1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination: Grand Canyon Depot" (pdf). National Park Service.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NHLS/74000337_photos Accompanying 19 photos, exterior, from 1985. (3.03 MB)
  34. "Train Equipment | Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel".
  35. Holland, F. Ross (August 31, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Superintendent's Residence". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  36. Holland, F. Ross (August 31, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Rangers' Dormitory". National Park Service. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  37. "Training". Archived from the original on March 26, 2010.