© 2004 The Posy Collection.

El Tovar
Counted Cross Stitch Kit

When the Santa Fe railroad first reached Grand Canyon, construction was immediately begun on a first class hotel to accommodate travelers. Built of native boulders and Oregon Pine, the majestic 100-room hotel opened January 14, 1905. It was named El Tovar in honor of the Spanish explorer Pedro de Tovar, who had led the first expedition to Hopi Indian country in 1540. Nothing was spared to make this one of the great hotels of its era. The building was completely equipped with electric lights and a steam-powered generator. Railroad tank cars brought fresh water from Del Rio, 120 miles away. Fresh fruit and vegetables were grown in greenhouses on the premises. The hotel even had its own dairy. The most important single consideration, however, was to extend genuine hospitality and the utmost courtesy to the new hotel’s guests. This was achieved by contracting with the renown Fred Harvey Company to operate the hotel. The famed Harvey Girls set the standard for hospitality at the El Tovar, a tradition that is maintained today.