Bob Audretsch, author of the wonderful new book, Images of America Grand Canyon’s Phantom Ranch, has just written two new articles for this site. The first is on the Civilian Conservation Corps and all the projects these remarkable young men accomplished in their years here from 1933 through 1942. From the South Rim, down to Phantom Ranch and up to the North Rim, their beautiful handiwork is still being enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. On a rim to rim hike, you can still see evidence of an old phone line they installed. Some of the locations of the poles can make you catch your breath! The phone line was still in use while I was Cottonwood Ranger in 1990! It has since been replaced with microwave, but it certainly had an impressive service run!
Bob’s second article is focused on Phantom Ranch History. From the earliest days of the ancestral Puebloans through Rust’s Camp, Teddy Roosevelt, Mary Colter, and the present day, Phantom has been a great meeting place. Phantom Ranch continues to be an active oasis in the desert that draws many people year after year. It seems that once you’ve been there, you are hooked for life!
If these articles whet your appetite, I highly recommend Bob’s book. It is worth buying for the photos alone, and the text is engaging, well-written and full of fun facts. If you are interested, Bob sells autographed copies as seller “bob1941” through Amazon at the link above.