Postcard Collection Tells Canyon History

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 03, 2009 – Arizona is proud to have one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World—the Grand Canyon. With the arrival of the Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad in the early 20th century, the development of the canyon began in earnest. The railroads, along with the Santa Fe’s business partner, the Fred Harvey Company, greatly promoted the Grand Canyon as a tourist destination through books, pamphlets, and magazine advertisements. On February 26, 1919, Congress established the Grand Canyon National Park, and the federal government became a promoter of the Grand Canyon, too. But perhaps the best promoters of the Grand Canyon were the people who wrote home on picture postcards telling their friends and families about the amazing canyon.

Ratz says, “this book is arranged as a guide to the amazing number of postcards printed of the Grand Canyon. While not every card ever produced is shown here, this overview will give the reader an idea of how earlier tourist saw the Grand Canyon. The book is also laid out as a guide to the canyon itself. Each chapter covers a different aspect of the canyon that can be followed along the rim drives, some of the main trails into the canyon, or walking around the historic village.”

Highlights of Grand Canyon National Park:
•   Features more than 225 historic postcards.
•   Provides glimpse of the development of early tourism facilities.
•   Shows both buildings that are no longer standing and those that have changed little in the history of the Grand Canyon.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.