This Is What Visiting The Grand Canyon Looked Like 100 Years Ago
By Monica Spencer|Published January 23, 2017
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
I’ve always had an affinity for old photos. There’s something about seeing history lived in the moment decades ago, complete with period clothing, actions that may seem too formal for today’s standards, and even a few moments that have you wondering what they were thinking. Here’s a look at some photos from the Grand Canyon’s expansive photo collection, which you can also view online. Enjoy!
Let's start with some of the earlier photos taken near Marble Canyon. This photo shows John Wesley Powell's second expedition. That's his armchair in the boat (ca. 1872).
There wasn't a date attached to this photo but it was taken on a glass plate negative by Henry G. Peabody, whose other Grand Canyon photos date to the turn of the century.
It's interesting to see how accommodations and expectations for how to spend time in nature have changed over the decades. These men were camped by the Hermit Trailhead, which (I believe) is not a current campsite (1913).
One of the things I love most about looking at decades old photos is how the style of dress has changed. Even when out exploring, some people dressed much more formally than we would imagine to do so today (ca. 1910).
Take this party for instance. Riding mules down Bright Angel Trail in massive hats, corsets, high collars, and fine fabrics doesn't exactly sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon (1909).
And this is what an excursion along the river would have looked like 110 years ago. The men rolled up their pant legs and the women probably loosened a button or two (1906).
Traveling to and from the canyon had only two options for a long time: ride a horse/mule or walk. These guys look like they drew the short end of the stick as they carry belongings down the canyon (ca. 1902).
Here's a description from the album's notes: The first automobile party arrives at Grandview, on the South Rim of Grand Canyon in a ten horse-power steam powered vehicle. Oliver Lippincott is the driver (they called it "steerer") with Thomas Chapman sitting in the front seat beside the Lippincott...They anticipated a one day journey from Flagstaff, but it took several days because of break-downs and mishaps. The return trip of 67 miles was made in 7 hours.
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As the years went by, traveling by the automobile became much more common. Here's a line of visitors sitting in Fred Harvey touring cars near El Tovar Hotel (ca. 1921).
Wow, that was pretty amazing, especially when you consider how much has changed in the last century. But what’s equally incredible is how much has stayed the same! Here’s hoping our grandchildren and great-grandchildren get to experience the same canyon a century from now.
