Grand Canyon National Park - History & Culture (U.S. National Park Service)

Administrative History

Although first afforded Federal protection in 1893 as a Forest Reserve and later as a National Monument, Grand Canyon did not achieve National Park status until 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service. Today Grand Canyon National Park receives close to five million visitors each year - a far cry from the annual visitation of 44,173 which the park received in 1919.

This link takes you to the Administrative History of Grand Canyon National Park, a political and economic history of the park from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present.

Granaries above Nankoweap

Archeological Resources

The oldest human artifacts found are nearly 12,000 years old and date to the Paleo-Indian period. There has been continuous use and occupation of the park since that time.

The park has recorded over 4,800 archeological resources with an intensive survey of nearly 3% of the park area.

Archeological remains from the following culture groups are found in Grand Canyon National Park: Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Basketmaker, Ancestral Puebloan (Kayenta and Virgin branches), Cohonina, Cerbat, Pai, Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and Euro-American. Read more...

Grand Canyon National Park Archeology Includes:

The River Monitoring Program
generates data regarding the effects of dam operations on historic properties, identifies ongoing impacts to historic properties within the APE [Area of Potential Effect], and develops and implements remedial measures for treating historic properties subject to damage.

The Vanishing Treasures Program
Grand Canyon National Park is one of 45 National Park Service areas that participate in the Vanishing Treasures Program. The goal of the Vanishing Treasures program is the conservation of architectural remains through research, documentation, and preservation treatment.

NPS VIEWS - Grand Canyon Discovery

The Grand Canyon truly is a special place. Life abounds within the canyon, in the Colorado River, and even along the rims.

Even humans have inhabited this area for at least the past couple thousand years. Learn more...

The Ranger Operations Building (1929)

Historic Structures in Grand Canyon National Park

National Historic Landmarks

Individual Buildings 9
Districts (377 Buildings) 3

The Grand Canyon Village was listed as a National Historic Landmark District consisting of 257 contributing properties.

National Register of Historic Places

Individual Buildings 9
Districts (336 Buildings) 6

Grand Canyon N.P.

El Tovar Hotel (1905)

Determinations of eligibility have been received for an additional 44 buildings and structures, and nominations are pending for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places for nine trails.

Determination of eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places has been received for 323 archaeological sites along the Colorado River.

List of Classified Structures (LCS): 870 listings LCS is inclusive of the National Historic Landmark and National Register programs currently being reviewed.

Shrine of the Ages

The Shrine of the Ages is one of the many historic buildings at Grand Canyon with an intriguing history. This multi-purpose building was originally planned as an interdenominational chapel sitting on the edge of the canyon itself. More...