'All aboard for The Bright Angel Trail'
We didn't make the trail, it being 6 hours down and twice as long back up, but we did board the Grand Canyon Train and set off for the south rim. It hasn't changed in 26 years, or even the last several million. Still fabulous.
Fred Harvey was responsible for creation of tourism at the Grand Canyon. He was born in 1835, in humble circumstances, but his vision led to him being dubbed 'the civiliser of the west'. He started his career on the railroads as a dishwasher and busboy. A fastidious man, he was revolted by the unappetising food, filthy lodging and fleecing of travellers 'who wouldn't be back anyways'. He became determined to bring the best to the west through the railroads. It was said, at the time, that there were 'no ladies east of Dodge City and no women east of Albuquerque'.
Starting small it soon became a massive operation. When he died there were 47 restaurants, 15 hotels and 30 dining cars on the Santa Fe Railroad. in his empire. 'Harvey Houses' provided good food, spotless dining rooms and courteous service. China, linens and silver were imported from Europe. He recruited waitresses known as 'Harvey Girls' from good homes in the east, advertising for 'intelligent, pretty women between 18-30'. The girls were heavily chaperoned but they brought culture, refinement and romance to the wild west. It was said that 'he made the desert bloom with beef steak and pretty girls'.
Before long, cowboys were going to church with the girls on Sunday and at least 20,000 girls became the wives of ranchers cowboys and railroad men. These unions founded the first families of the west and many baby boys were named Fred or Harvey as a tribute the such a visionary.
MGM made a movie called 'The Harvey Girls' in 1946 starring Judy Garland.
Such a great story. But, do you know what the best bit is, for me anyway. I have to make a little apology first (but not much of one) to my American friends; (I am still full of British pride after the Diamond Jubilee after all) FRED WAS BORN IN LONDON! Yes, it took a Brit to tame the Wild West!
Fred Harvey was responsible for creation of tourism at the Grand Canyon. He was born in 1835, in humble circumstances, but his vision led to him being dubbed 'the civiliser of the west'. He started his career on the railroads as a dishwasher and busboy. A fastidious man, he was revolted by the unappetising food, filthy lodging and fleecing of travellers 'who wouldn't be back anyways'. He became determined to bring the best to the west through the railroads. It was said, at the time, that there were 'no ladies east of Dodge City and no women east of Albuquerque'.
Starting small it soon became a massive operation. When he died there were 47 restaurants, 15 hotels and 30 dining cars on the Santa Fe Railroad. in his empire. 'Harvey Houses' provided good food, spotless dining rooms and courteous service. China, linens and silver were imported from Europe. He recruited waitresses known as 'Harvey Girls' from good homes in the east, advertising for 'intelligent, pretty women between 18-30'. The girls were heavily chaperoned but they brought culture, refinement and romance to the wild west. It was said that 'he made the desert bloom with beef steak and pretty girls'.
Before long, cowboys were going to church with the girls on Sunday and at least 20,000 girls became the wives of ranchers cowboys and railroad men. These unions founded the first families of the west and many baby boys were named Fred or Harvey as a tribute the such a visionary.
MGM made a movie called 'The Harvey Girls' in 1946 starring Judy Garland.
Such a great story. But, do you know what the best bit is, for me anyway. I have to make a little apology first (but not much of one) to my American friends; (I am still full of British pride after the Diamond Jubilee after all) FRED WAS BORN IN LONDON! Yes, it took a Brit to tame the Wild West!
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