Painted Desert Inn
W of Navajo in Petrified Forest National Park, Navajo, AZA consistent combination of Pueblo Indian and Mexican-American architectural styles, the Painted Desert Inn possesses handcrafted details and exhibits a skillful sensitive site architectural placement. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937-38, the structure as designed by Architect Lyle Bennett, National Park Service, incorporates parts of an earlier Inn, constructed in 1924.
Architecturally, the primary significant values of this building are the strict consistency of its architectural style, the manner in which it was constructed, and its characteristics as a representative of a regional style of building construction and design. It is also representative of authentic "old-fashioned" handwork construction methods, in both rough and finished work applications. The 27-inch thick walls are of local stone, finished with plaster both inside and out. The elaborate "pueblo-style" ceilings in many rooms are in fact truly structural in addition to being decorative--the beams, corbels, brackets, vigas, and savings do actually support the finished roof. The only portion of the building which deviates is the clerestory unit composed of wood frame, lath, and plaster over the skylight. The building has governmental significance since it was designed by NPS Architect Lyle Bennett, and was constructed under the supervision of NPS Architect Lorimer Skidmore. Labor was provided from local CCC camps. The building was primarily constructed between May 1937 and October 1938 as a totally Federal project. It is a fine example of cooperation between the Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps of the time, with the two agencies working tog architectural merit. It is essentially unaltered from the date of completion to the present. There are no buildings of the period in NPS Western or Southwest Region areas that are of the same architectural style and which were constructed by the Park Service for both Government and commercial uses.
The building has secondary significant values for artistic interior design in the combination of original murals painted in 1948 by a well-known Hopi artist, Fred Kaboti, with New Mexican style wood carving on furnishings, stamped tin electrical fixtures, and a painted skylight composed of Pueblo Indian design elements on glass panes. In addition, the building has local historical significance in the development of the Painted Desert addition as it was built to provide visitors to a new area with facilities of high quality and appropriate character.
Local significance of the building:
Architecturally, the primary significant values of this building are the strict consistency of its architectural style, the manner in which it was constructed, and its characteristics as a representative of a regional style of building construction and design. It is also representative of authentic "old-fashioned" handwork construction methods, in both rough and finished work applications. The 27-inch thick walls are of local stone, finished with plaster both inside and out. The elaborate "pueblo-style" ceilings in many rooms are in fact truly structural in addition to being decorative--the beams, corbels, brackets, vigas, and savings do actually support the finished roof. The only portion of the building which deviates is the clerestory unit composed of wood frame, lath, and plaster over the skylight. The building has governmental significance since it was designed by NPS Architect Lyle Bennett, and was constructed under the supervision of NPS Architect Lorimer Skidmore. Labor was provided from local CCC camps. The building was primarily constructed between May 1937 and October 1938 as a totally Federal project. It is a fine example of cooperation between the Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps of the time, with the two agencies working tog architectural merit. It is essentially unaltered from the date of completion to the present. There are no buildings of the period in NPS Western or Southwest Region areas that are of the same architectural style and which were constructed by the Park Service for both Government and commercial uses.
The building has secondary significant values for artistic interior design in the combination of original murals painted in 1948 by a well-known Hopi artist, Fred Kaboti, with New Mexican style wood carving on furnishings, stamped tin electrical fixtures, and a painted skylight composed of Pueblo Indian design elements on glass panes. In addition, the building has local historical significance in the development of the Painted Desert addition as it was built to provide visitors to a new area with facilities of high quality and appropriate character.
Art; Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Before becoming a US territory in 1848, Arizona was part of Mexico. The Mexican government established the region as part of the state of Sonora, but it later became its own separate territory.
About Apache County
Apache County Timeline
Apache County, located in northeastern Arizona, has a rich and colorful history that spans thousands of years. The area was historically home to various Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Apache, Zuni, and Hopi peoples. These tribes thrived in the region, adapting to the challenging desert environment and establishing trading networks with nearby tribes.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
European exploration of Apache County began in the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors, such as Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, ventured into the area in search of gold and other resources. However, it was not until the 19th century that significant European settlement took place. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired present-day Arizona, including Apache County, from Mexico.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Apache County experienced a significant influx of settlers attracted by mining, ranching, and railroad construction. The discovery of mineral deposits, including copper, uranium, and coal, played a crucial role in the county's development. The towns of St. Johns, Springerville, and Holbrook, among others, emerged as important centers of economic activity, supporting the growth of the mining and ranching industries.
Apache County also played a significant role in the history of the Wild West. The area was part of the historic Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which facilitated communication and transportation between the East and West coasts. Notorious figures such as Billy the Kid and the legendary Apache warrior Geronimo also left their mark on the county's history, engaging in conflicts and battles that shaped the region's development.
Today, Apache County continues to embrace its diverse heritage, with a vibrant Native American culture coexisting alongside more recent settlers. The county's history is preserved and celebrated through museums, cultural events, and historical landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of its past.
Apache County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Apache County, Arizona.
- 1879 - Apache County is established on February 24, 1879, as one of the original four counties of the Arizona Territory.
- 1880 - The county seat is designated as St. Johns, which becomes the oldest continuously inhabited community in Arizona.
- 1881 - The town of Holbrook is founded and quickly becomes a hub for the region's livestock industry.
- 1882 - The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad completes a line through Winslow, bringing increased transportation and economic opportunities to the area.
- 1889 - The famous Pleasant Valley War, a deadly feud between cattlemen, reaches its peak in Apache County.
- 1931 - The iconic Petrified Forest National Monument is established within the county's boundaries, preserving unique geological formations and fossilized trees.
- 1964 - The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is established, providing recreational opportunities and protecting important wildlife habitats.
- 1986 - Apache County experiences a major economic boom when the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, begins operations.
- 2005 - The Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is established, featuring scenic attractions such as the spectacular Antelope Canyon.