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Petrified Forest Museum Association

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Home/Human History

Human History

Besides the ancient archaeological sites, Petrified Forest National Park preserves a variety of resources including written documents and photographs that document more recent historical events.

Historically the area was heavily ranched in the 1800s by outfits such as the Aztec Land and Cattle Company (popularly called the “Hashknife” Outfit after their distinctive brand), and later by various smaller land owners.

The petrified wood deposits were originally named “Chalcedony Park” and used extensively for private tourism and other commercial uses prior to the establishment of federal protection.

  • Civilian Conservation Corp, Painted Desert Inn, 1938, Petrified Forest National Monument
  • Early 20th Century Car Tour | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • Dr. Charles Camp, Paleontologist 1930s | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • Albert Einstein and his wife at the park in 1931 | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • Naturalist John Muir at Petrified Forest, circa 1905 | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • New park entry sign, 1962 | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • Herbert Lore's Painted Desert Inn, 1930s | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park
  • Soda Fountain in the Painted Desert Inn, circa 1950 | Photo courtesy of Petrified Forest National Park

The first permanent buildings in the park which served as lodges, lunch stands, and curio shops were built at the north and south ends of the present park in the late 1920s by private owners and called the Stone Tree House and the Rainbow Forest Lodge respectively.

The Stone Tree House was purchased by the National Park Service in 1936, renovated by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and later reopened as the Painted Desert Inn operated by concessionaires including the Fred Harvey Company.

It was the Fred Harvey Company who commissioned famed designer Mary Jane Colter to decorate the interior and staffed the building with their famous Harvey Girls. The Rainbow Forest Lodge (now the Rainbow Forest Oasis) is currently operated under the Fred Harvey name by Xanterra Parks and Resorts and still offers services to visitors.

Besides the renovations of the Painted Desert Inn, the Civilian Conservation Corps played a large part in the early development of park infrastructure. Working from camps on the Rio Puerco and at Rainbow Forest the CCC built roads, bridges, and trails. They constructed the old headquarters/museum building and residences at the Rainbow Forest. 

In addition they served as clerks and park guides. As you travel the main park road you are following their work and driving over bridges these men constructed.

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Human History Fun Facts

  • Designer Mary Jane Colter developed the color scheme for the Painted Desert Inn and commissioned famed Hopi artist Fred Kabotie to create the murals in the dining and soda fountain rooms.
  • All of the tin light fixtures, woodwork, and skylights at the Painted Desert Inn were hand crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
  • The Painted Desert Inn was originally called the “Stone Tree House” in part because much of the original building, incorporated into the existing building, was constructed of petrified wood.
  • Many of the CCC enrollees left their mark on the park literally, carving their names and initials into rocks in work areas, or writing their names under some of the bridges.

Featured Books

  • The Painted Desert The Painted Desert: Land of Light and Shadow $11.95 – $17.95
  • The Harvey Girls: Women Who Opened the West The Harvey Girls: Women Who Opened the West $15.95
  • A Century of Research at Petrified Forest National Park: Natural and Cultural History A Century of Research at Petrified Forest National Park: Natural and Cultural History $12.95
  • Navajo and Photography: A Critical History of the Representation of an American People Navajo and Photography: A Critical History of the Representation of an American People $24.95
  • Ancient Dwellings of the Southwest Ancient Dwellings of the Southwest $16.95

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Petrified Forest Museum Association

1 Park Road
PO Box 2277
Petrified Forest, Arizona 86028

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