Audio
Full Steam Ahead: Stop 2 Verkamp's Visitor Center
Transcript
Before you stands the Verkamp’s Visitor Center, a curio shop and family home for more than a century. With its open front porch and shingled siding, it may be easier to imagine this as a neighborhood home than as a Grand Canyon gift shop.
[horse clopping] Just before the arrival of the railroad, as visitors journeyed to the Grand Canyon via stagecoach, an Ohio man sought an opportunity in tourism. John Verkamp rented a tent and opened the first curio shop at Grand Canyon. He primarily sold Native American crafts and other souvenirs to tourists. Unfortunately for John Verkamp, tourism had not yet spiked at the canyon so he closed his shop after only a few weeks. He certainly had the right idea, but he started at the wrong time. However, three years later, [hammer hitting metal] railroad construction was completed in 1901, which started bringing more tourists to the Village. John Verkamp ended up reopening his curio shop, which ultimately transformed into the building you see today. The Verkamp’s Curio shop and family home was built in 1905 and opened early 1906. Materials were shipped in from California and the store front was constructed right here on the rim. If you take a look at the building, you’ll notice that its design is heavily influenced by craftsman style architecture with its large porches and exposed wood. The deep porches provide a lovely way to sit and enjoy the view of the canyon in the shade. The Verkamp’s family would use these railings to display Native American blankets which would entice visitors to come inside and shop.
The increase in tourism, allowed the Verkamp family to own and operate their store for over 100 years making it the oldest family-owned concession in the entire National Park Service. The National Park Service acquired the building in 2008, which now houses a museum and bookstore operated by the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Explore the native plant garden on either side of the entryway. Step inside the building and discover a replica of Verkamp’s original curio tent. Learn more about the Verkamp family and early pioneer life at the canyon. Imagine living life at the canyon back then. You may have to wait for supplies to be delivered by train or perhaps make the long eight hour trip to Flagstaff on horseback or stagecoach. Could you have handled the extreme weather of the canyon without the luxuries we have today? Take a moment in the shade of the Verkamp’s porch to think about life back then. Though it may have been challenging, sitting on the porch with a view like the Grand Canyon makes it all worth while.
Description
The Verkamp’s Curio shop and family home was built in 1905 and opened early 1906. The increase in tourism, allowed the Verkamp family to own and operate their store for over 100 years making it the oldest family-owned concession in the entire National Park Service.
Credit
Grand Canyon National Park
Date Created
09/09/2021
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