Desert View Watchtower, Grand Canyon South Rim

The south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is home to the mysterious Desert View Watchtower. It was built in 1930 by a Mary Colter, who was originally hired to construct a respite location and gift shop. However, her answer has mystified visitors since then, and fuelled the imaginations of many a tourist.

No matter who you speak to, the most mysterious man-made structure within the Grand Canyon National Park is by far the Watchtower. It has baffled everyone since its construction because what was supposed to be a gift store and rest area soon became something more than expected.

Located on the south rim of the park, the tower was built by the famous Mary Colter, a 1930's architect whose vision was very much different than the company that hired her. However, the tower has become a veritable tourist attraction all on its own.

It is also known to some as the Indian Watchtower because it closely resembles the architecture of the ancient Anasazi buildings that now lay in ruins in archaeological sites across the state. In fact, its sheer size is bigger than anything the tribe ever constructed themselves. It towers above the canyon floor, built of coarse, triangular sandstone blocks, taken from nearby rock falls and boulders nearby.

This 5 storey tower even has different colored masonry that somehow magically fit in very well with the surrounding natural rock formations. Windows of varied sizes and shapes are positioned irregularly around its face, except for the observation level (top), where plated glass allow a safe vantage point for visiting tourists. However, the inside is a reminder of pioneering times, and due to safety and preservation reasons, the upper levels are no longer open to the public.