Desert View Watchtower - Grand Canyon in Depth Episode 05

Perched on the edge of Grand Canyon, a surprising stone tower celebrates ancient mysteries of the Southwest.
The Desert View Watchtower is a monument to a time, a place and a people. Discover what inspired architect Mary Colter to build the Watchtower in 1932, and the significance it has to the many tribes that call Grand Canyon home.
An audio described version of this video is located on this page:
www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photos...
Produced by the National Park Service in association with Bristlecone Media and Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park.

[@ikmarchini]

Janet, so nice to hear you get excited about something so worth getting excited about. Thank you for your beautiful presentation.

[@seesafar9912]

Just laid sight on this. Saw Mary Colter here, first. I will be forever in love with Mary Colter. This structure is a perfect form, and the Art inside is astounding to me. Wonder of wonders, who were these people and what did they do to me? People did this. People who were here-whatever they call themselves today. Thank you for this, the work, the Art, the site location, the structure itself and of course, this stream. I can be proud now, that I know....

[@CharlieSill62VO]

Having been to the tower only once before the change over in management...I am happy the footprint of the merchandise area has been lessened. It is an incredible space to enjoy now without all the clutter.

[@myshilohranch]

The Desert View Watchtower is one of my favorite places on earth. Thank you for the virtual visit. We must return soon. Makes me "homesick" ... nothing like being there, to experience the wonder! I even miss the fresh crisp smell ...

[@wayneranney]

This series is so well done and helps to portray the canyon in ways words cannot. These are amazing videos - thank you!

[@redbustourguide]

I'm so excited!! Soon I'll be giving guided tours out to the Watchtower as well as throughout this amazing historical building!

[@screwityoutubization]

A beautiful tribute to a fascinating place in American history. Breathtaking photography to gild a magnificent monument! What an eye this photographer has for national parks with luscious landscapes.

[@alexiscla25]

And Native American history.

[@upnorth6070]

Absolutely beautiful!! Enjoyed this video immensely!!

[@leftie75]

I need to go back, the tower was closed when I went. There was a herd of deer hanging out when I walked in at the break of dawn. This is a must see if you go, the views are amazing.

[@carloshuante8508]

What a beautiful appropriate build..it adds doesn’t-take away …must go and see it..

[@CoryTheRaven]

Thank you for this video! I love Mary Colter's work and it is nice to see a video focusing so much on it (as well as the stunning landscape!).

[@myshilohranch]

+CoryTheRaven We love Mary Colter's work too ... liked the focus on her vision. I believe that preservation of her work should be of National importance. As the Canyon goes, so go we.

[@robertotorres226]

So beautiful and depth, will visit in a couple of moths. Great Great Great

[@imbrokenlikeumademe7207]

love it so much beauty and serenity

[@RVingwithG]

WOW, I had no idea this was there... It looks like a MUST SEE!

[@TheRealGrinch313]

I've been up in that tower. The art work (petroglyphs & such) are very cool. The view is pretty good from there too.

[@marlinweekley51]

Every couple years I run the run to rim to rim in the canyon and always visit the tower the next day. It’s a must see . All the tourist junk should be up at the plaza by the parking lot - not in the tower so Iam glad they’re doing that.

[@austinkonchira1568]

Nice information

[@jburnett8152]

Love the canyon. Can't magic.

[@robertvalderaz7329]

Some one please take me there

[@jpb252]

Very nice, but I was disappointed that no mention was made of the Navajo sand painting on the ground floor of the Watchtower that the NPS now sees fit to cover with a tarp and keep hidden from the public. It's a beautiful piece of art and very few people will otherwise have the opportunity to ever see one.

[@CJMund-cf4qd]

+jpb252 It's Hopi, actually and not Navajo. The creation of a Hopi sand painting isn't supposed to be something preserved in perpetuity. It's actually disrespectful that it is even included in the watchtower displays. Per the Hopi's request, the painting is covered.

[@jpb252]

+C. J.Mund So Fred Kabotie, the same Hopi artist who painted the murals, created the sand painting at the Desert View Watchtower in 1932, not as part of a Hopi religious ceremony, but for public display. But now the public is kept from seeing that sand painting, which had remained on public display for over 80 years? Just seems wrong and makes me think that maybe the public was better served when the Watchtower was in Xanterra's care.

[@jpb252]

+C. J.Mund I like that the NPS cleared the kiva section of the Watchtower of kitsch for sale, but seeing how the sand painting was created for public display and not as part of a religious ceremony, yes, I think it should remain on public display and Xanterra better served the public in that respect. Neither the Hopi artist who created it nor Hopi elders had a problem with it at the time it was created. BTW, resorting to name calling doesn't enhance the quality of your argument, but rather makes you sound foolish.

[@jpb252]

+C. J.Mund So I don't get to choose, but you do, end of story. I take it you're one of those apostles of "tolerance" that has no toleration for any opinion, but their own. So far the NPS has seen fit to preserve the sand painting even though they keep it hidden from view. My hope is that one day the NPS will again allow the public to see it and you will gain enough maturity to realize that your opinion isn't the be all and end all.

[@QueenlySweetpea]

C.J.Mund .. Step # 1. Go wash your mouth out with SOAP ~ don't wait for Spring, do it NOW !! Step # 2. Go and learn some vocabulary so you can express yourself in a decent civilized manner without resorting to profanity and personally attacking the good commenters here ..

[@controlcontrol1829]

Unbelievable !!

[@user-ih4mj8oh7t]

وين بتصير هاي لبلد في حدى عربي يترجم

[@controlcontrol1829]

Build a Ranger station for Americans to enjoy !!

[@isacchris1]

Their are towers like that in China.

[@allisonsoutherland5463]

No way in hell was that built in 1932. That thing is ancient looking.

[@WellStudied]

why do Hopi symbols look so much like Australian Aboriginal art?

[@secretlee7957]

Beautiful view ...........of a FLAT horizon...........only the surface is FLAT.......the first nation knows it's a FLAT earth.........why don't you?......................

[@Coliocoliocolio]

Secret Lee false prophet

[@Vincent-fo7xp]

Do me a favor and shut up

[@hassanmahmoud2276]

Is worst a vist

[@angiebold2592]

Looks like the tower of Babel . In Phoenix. The rising from the ashes. Come on their winged serpent god . He will be here soon enough. Thank God the children who wait on Jesus will be out of here. But your God will cause a great earthquake as he rides from his pit.

[@Vincent-fo7xp]

Nice blending of mythologies

[@salladz3863]

They built it on ruins. Seems about white.