The Grand Canyon was destined to become an American treasure. Unparalleled in its enormity, visitors come from all over the world to experience this great place. From prospectors and homesteaders to the railroads and their luxurious flagship lodges, vintage postcards and beautiful, present-day photographs are used to follow the development of tourism at the Grand Canyon and its influence as a National Park. Early promoters, including the Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads, did much to influence the park as we know it today. Scenes include dramatic rim views, rugged trail-side settings, wildlife, the El Tovar Hotel and other historic properties made famous by the Fred Harvey Company, and the stone-sculpted visitor facilities crafted by Mary Colter. This book offers a timeless account of the park's scenic and historic significance while providing a treasured keepsake for those who love the national parks. AUTHOR: Suzanne Silverthorn has assembled an extensive collection of vintage postcards and ephemera from the national parks after immersing herself in their histories. Her inspiration follows childhood trips to the Grand Canyon and other national parks escorted by her grandmother and the treasured memories left behind in journals, photographs, and postcards. In this book, Silverthorn has used that collection to tell the story of the Grand Canyon's history and its amazing beauty; they are paired with current scenes from the lens of landscape and wildlife photographer I-Ting Chiang. I-Ting Chiang has been drawn to the Grand Canyon on countless occasions to explore its photographic wonders. Beginning well before sunrise and continuing long into the evening, he has captured the brilliant colors that magically appear in this amazing setting. An avid hiker, Chiang's experiences have also taken him to the bottom of the canyon, where he has been rewarded with even more breathtaking sights through an intimate connection with the land. His portfolio of landscapes, wildlife, and birds extends to other national parks, where he has hiked more than 1,000 miles over the various trails. His profiles of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier are documented in additional Schiffer books that have combined with Grand Canyon to create a four-part series. Chiang earned national recognition in 2012 when one of his landscape photographs was selected to be featured on the annual pass for Lassen Volcanic National Park. His photos have also been used in books, exhibits, websites, and business trainings, as well as academic and educational materials. 316 colour and 27 b/w images
