Grand Canyon History
The “Mountain Lying Down” as it is called offers unparalleled vistas. Even if there are deeper canyons in other parts of the world, Grand Canyon maintains its popularity because of its tremendous size, and its elaborate and colorful topography.
Scrutinizing the Grand Canyon history is a complicated endeavor. Aside from casual accounts of past expeditions, it wasn’t until in the late 1800’s that the canyon really got a lot of attention.
The Grand Canyon enjoyed anonymity before the Civil War. The expedition led by Major John Wesley Powell was known to have made the first trip through the canyon in 1869. His enthusiasm for adventure prompted him and nine others to engage in the journey that will earn them the honor of being a part of the Grand Canyon history.
There was sudden attention on the region due to the belief that it is an abundant source of minerals, specifically asbestos and copper. The first settlements came during the early part of the 1880’s. In the Grand Canyon history, it was the earliest resident who found out that tourism may be a more profitable aspect than mining. And before long, Grand Canyon became a premier tourist destination.
There may be several huge lodging facilities within and in nearby areas of the park. However, Grand Canyon history will tell us that the early accommodations were quite similar to the mining campsites from which they were influenced by. Some of the park’s visitors have to make the tiresome trips by riding in stagecoaches from neighboring towns towards the South Rim.
Among the most important part of the Grand Canyon history is the presence of the railroad from Williams towards the South Rim in 1901. During this time, formal facilities for visitors increased significantly. El Tovar made a significant component of the Grand Canyon history as one of the most famous park landmarks when it was erected in 1905.
Perhaps the greatest highlight of the Grand Canyon history was its achievement of the National Park recognition in the year 1919, just three short years after the National Park Service was established. Currently, the Grand Canyon National Park is host to five million visitors each year; a big jump from its annual number of guests in 1919 which only totals 44,173.
The Grand Canyon has one of the most complex yet humble beginnings among the world’s greatest natural marvels. No wonder, every guest couldn’t seem to get enough of the ageless appeal that the canyon has to offer.