By Davy Crockett


This part will cover additional stories found through deeper research, adding to the history shared in Part 2 of this Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim History. These stories can also be found in the new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. By 1927, Phantom Ranch was well-established at the bottom of the Canyon. The new South Kaibab trail was complete, and the Black Bridge was nearing completion. On the North side, the North Kaibab trail up Roaring Springs Canyon was also nearing completion, which would make the rim-to-rim hiking experience much easier instead of using the "Old Bright Angel Trail" that went steeply up to the North Rim. During the early 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a camp across from Phantom Ranch and worked on many significant projects, including the River Trail along the Colorado River. Their story can also be found in Part 2.



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Power and Pump Stations at Roaring Springs

A hydroelectric plant below Roaring Springs was completed in 1927 to pump water up to the North Rim. The plant comprised two turbines connected to generators, powered by water from a small diversion dam on Bright Angel Creek, that was brought a half mile through amazing wooden tubes/troughs. Power was then generated for the pump house, to lift water 3,870 feet to the North Rim through 12,700 feet of three-inch steel pipe which can still be seen today. Water was stored in a 50,000-gallon reservoir on the Rim.

The heavy machinery to construct the plant and pump station had been lowered on a special tramway that was constructed. “It had to have angle stations in it to get around high cliffs. There were two cables to the tram, one to carry the load, and the other moved by a big steam engine which furnished the power to haul the loads along on the big cable. The tramway worked exceptionally well and added its own new chapter to engineering history. It was two miles in length, but its lower end was 4,000 feet below its head-house where was located the big engine that operated it.”

Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim

In 1927, construction began on a large hotel, camp, and related facilities on the North Rim. “This will contain large lounging rooms, recreation hall, storeroom, dining room that will seat 200 persons, kitchen with cold storage plant, shower, baths, and accessories. Sixty-two two-room guest lodges of log construction will be provided.” The Utah Parks Company agreed to develop a water supply and establish electric lighting and sewer systems, and telephone lines. They hoped to have everything complete in fifteen months.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, finished in 1928, became a special place to escape the summer heat in the days before air conditioning. It was designed by architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood (1890-1960) with a Spanish-style exterior and an observation tower. On the top floor, employees stayed in a dorm. Underwood also designed the original lodges at Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks.

In 1930, the new National Park Service Director Horace Marden Albright (1890-1987) said, “The Grand Canyon lodge, including the housekeeping units, employees’ quarters, and other facilities is the finest tourist development in the national park system. The availability of water through the hydroelectric power and pumping plant constructed at Roaring Springs is an outstanding factor in the general development.”

The help at the Lodge were young men and women from colleges, recommended by their faculty. “The students did all the work, acting as clerks, porters, chambermaids, waiters and waitresses, chauffeurs, and guides. They acted also as entertainers, capable of putting on a musical or literary program of good quality. Moreover, they had to be young people of good moral char...