Mary Colter: Architect of the Southwest

David Arbogast said A beautiful coffee table book. The rise of feminist studies in the late twentieth century included the resurrection of previously forgotten American architects of the female persuasion, foremost among them being Julie Morgan, doyenne of the Hearst family and its connections. The result was that she has been afford not one, but several biographies. A remarkable, woman, a remarkable era Hard-at-Work What a wonderful, over-due publication and recognition of a remarkable artist. Certainly, Mary Colter was a pioneer who helped define "Southwest" style. I purchased this book hardcover to enjoy photographs, which are very beautifully done and well described, but to my astonishment, found this book to be highly reada. "Detailed, sympathetic book!" according to Robert W. Audretsch. Mary Colter was a woman ahead of her time --- an architect and interior designer when few women attempted it. She interwove rustic techniques, local materials and American Indian themes into buildings and designs well before that was accepted by others in her professions. Her rustic buildings at Grand Canyon Nationa

This extraordinary book about an extraordinary woman weaves together three stories-the remarkable career of a woman in a man's profession during the late 19th century; the creation of a building and interior style drawn from regional history and landscape; and the exploitation, largely at the hands of the railroads, of the American Southwest for leisure travel.. Mary Colter may well be the best-known unknown architect in the world: her buildings at the Grand Canyon National Park-which include Lookout Tower, Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, and many others-are admired by almost five million visitors a year

If her name is not well known, her work certainly is. Colter was an employee of the Harvey Company from 1910 to 1948, and her main task was the design and decoration of Harvey hotels and restaurants along the Santa Fe Railway. The final chapter describes the fates of many Colter buildings, including the restoration of some survivors. From Library Journal Fame is coming belatedly to American architect and designer Mary Colter (1869-1958), and this illustrated volume is the most detailed study of her career to date. Conn, Surrey P.L., BCCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. This sympathetic and well-documented book by Berke, an editor at Preservation magazine who also writes on historic architecture, includes new photographs. A versatile designer who integrated authentic regional elements i

Arnold Berke is Senior Editor, Preservation/The National Trust for Historic Preservation and lives in Washington D.C.Alexander Vertikoff is the cover photographer for American Bungalow and lives in Sedillo, New Mexico.