Grand Canyon "Parkitecture" of Mary Colter

Above, the Desert View Watchtower at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. It
 is considered to be a Mary Colter "masterpiece". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Architect Mary Colter is finally getting some recognition for her "Parkitecture" of many famous buildings of Grand Canyon National Park.

Thanks to CBS News, we get to learn something about Colter and her designs at the Grand Canyon.

They begin with:

Most of the 5.5 million visitors who pass through Grand Canyon National Park each year come for the views.  And when they inevitably need a break from the majestic scenery, they head inside -- to shop for souvenirs, admire Native American art, and check into the lodge. 

For Ranger Kristen Luetkemeier, the buildings of the Grand Canyon are just as grand as the vistas -- a stunning example of "Parkitecture." 

Knighton asked, "If someone were to come to the Grand Canyon and just look OUT and maybe not turn around and look BACK, do you feel like they'd be missing out on some of the park experience?" 

"I do," Ranger Luetkemeier replied. "I would feel sad for them. The opportunity to be in Grand Canyon Village, among the best collection of Mary Colter buildings in the world, was a real draw for me and something that I was really excited about." 

Mary Colter was the visionary architect behind the Canyon's most recognizable buildings. Born in 1869, Colter was the child of Irish immigrants, and left home at 16 to study interior design in California. 

Above, another view of Desert View Watchtower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

St. Petersburg Elegance

Yesterday, I received an email from Asya, who is now in St. Petersburg, Russia visiting her family.

With her email, she sent along these four photographs. Talk about elegance!

I have always read that St. Petersburg is one Russian city with a lot of European influence in architecture and decor. I can see it in these photos.

Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn

Above, the driveway approach to the Old Faithful Inn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading to Yellowstone National Park last month, one item on my mental list of things to see at the park (besides the natural wonders) was the Old Faithful Inn.

The Old Faithful Inn is an impressive structure to behold, both inside and out.

Above, the fireplace chimney in the Inn's main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was built when the 20th Century was only a few years old and welcomed its first guests on June 1, 1904. According to a handout flyer on the Inn's history, it has "survived severe winters, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and the fires of 1988."

Above, the main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was bestowed a National Landmark Designation in 1987, which "recognizes the Inn's national influence on architecture and construction."

Above, the Crow's Nest above the main lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Old Faithful Inn was designed by Robert Reamer, a 20-year-old architect from Ohio. Local materials were used in its construction, including lodgepole pine and rhyolite rock. Reamer also designed the Inn's East Wing addition (1913) and West Wing addition (1927). The Inn originally contained 140 guest rooms.

In the Dining Room, Paco Young's painting, "Old Faithful" hangs on the fireplace chimney (above photo).