The Grand Canyon has always held a wondrous piece of my mind. As
one of the great wonders of the world, this area demands such
excitability and the yearning to learn more about it. Not until I
completed this book did I have any notion that the Grand Canyon had
such historical significance. With the knowledge I have gained from this
review, I have formulated a completely new attitude toward, “ A Place
called the Grand Canyon.”
Advantageous to the reader, Morehouse begins with background
information on cultural and physical characteristics. She starts in by
describing the different Indian tribes that were present during the time
of Spanish settlement. Landless people on the East coast began moving
west and along with them came hints of competition which would soon
characterize this area. Through government politics, United States
officials easily took control of the land. They claimed it as unused
terrain. Mormons seeking religious freedom also exploited Indian
populations be using them as a labor source. In 1863, the Arizona
Territory Bill was signed and as the Civil War came to a head, large scale
businesses used the Bill as a ticket for Western opportunity. Early
explorers, surveyors, scientists, and military expeditions soon settled in
the region to secure Western possessions. It was during this time that
Indian tribes, such as the Navajo, announced their discontent about
insufficient amounts of land.
This westward expansion began to alarm the upcoming field of
environmental preservationists. However, the exploitation of resources
such as timber, were seen as financial assets too great to be denied.
Transportation of such goods, as Morehouse puts it, was “the cause of
great distress on Grand Canyon areas” as the construction of railroads
disrupted Indian reservations. The author notes this as the beginning of
commercialization of the region.
Now that transportation was available, nature tourism was on the
rise. Concerns of this issue motivated initiations to preserve land. On a
federal level, Stephen T. Mather, an established conservationist, aided to
the designation of lands as national forests and founded the United
States Forest Service. Together with Horace Albright, another esteemed
preservationist, Mather was able to construct the National Park Service.
Journalists such as John Wesley Powell and John Muir began educating
the public on benefits to preservation. Further research done on the
subject proposed the discontinuation of activities in the area as they
were detrimental and resulted in destruction. President Roosevelt’s
proclamation of a Grand Canyon National Movement was seen as a
strong effort to halt further depletion. With recognition on a federal
level, the region was receiving financial, political, and scientific
conditions suitable for the establishment of a National Park.
Initial recommendations for the National Park faced difficulties as local
ranchers, loggers and hunters protested against it. Lack of support from
local public government made Congress question its significance. One
major step toward advancement was the granting of statehood to
Arizona. Congressman Carl Hayden felt a national park within the state
would promote the state. With tourism and commercialization reaching
a climax, the erection of a national park was now becoming a necessity.
Unofficial boundaries were installed and Mather, who had been
familiarized with advertisement through his own business, handled
promotions for the park. In 1919, official boundaries were set and
limits were placed on resource and land use.
Around the time of recession, new advancements began to
strengthen the park. Committees such as the President’s Committee on
Outdoor Recreation and the Coordinating Commission on National Parks
and Forests offered the idea of natural boundaries. These boundaries
would never change and took into account wildlife areas, forest and
economic resources in the area. The boundaries were presented by Park
Superintendent John R. Eakin to the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
which approved them after seeing no opposition from local people. In a
time of national repression, park employment was on the rise.
Preservation became an important issue and according to John Merriam,
paleontologist that headed the Carnegie Institution, national parks were
ideal areas for studying different species and their habitats.
Further research found expansions to complicate matters worse by
subtracting from hunting zones and Indian reserves. In light of Indian
unrest, Secretary of the Interior Conrad Wirth, proposed the naming of
scenic views as a monument which avoided restrictions of a national
park. Disputes on this proposal went as far as President Roosevelt who
vetoed bills pertaining to the issue. Regardless of the outcomes, the
constant issue of expansion opened the park to further compromise on
authority to rule. The park would now experience one movement after
another.
The Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act in 1960 acted as a mission
statement for the Forest Service which strengthened the agency and
gained a more formal attitude from federal officials. At the same time,
Conrad Wirth’s “Mission 66” focused national parks on recreation.
Indian claims for land became more prevalent at the end of World War II
and had to be assessed with monetary settlements. Barry Goldwater
replaced Carl Hayden as Arizona senator and acted efficiently as he
created a new bill (S. 693). This bill actually contradicted former
decisions and nothing came of it. President Johnson’s proclamation No.
3389 permitted the creation Marble Canyon National Monument which
put limits on development and solidified the boundaries of the park.
Over the course of the Vietnam era, national preserves endured some of
the greatest additions of all time. With attentions focused on the
Vietnam War, parks and preserves demanded an increased amount of
citizen participation. Groups such as the Sierra Club and The Wilderness
Society built their foundations during this time. Job opportunities
became available after Nixon was forced out of the office due to
Watergate Scandals. Leader of the Sierra Club John McComb, assisted in
the newly arrived buffer or scenic easement proposal. This idea would
preserve plots of land while separating its different uses. Public
knowledge started to grow larger and activists pushed for boundary
expansion now more than ever. Constant efforts to extend the park
reinstated feelings of discontent among Havasupai people. Heated
debates became common occurrences and pressure was put on both
parties to make effective decisions. Congressman Morris Udall’s
decision to side with the tribe provided them with the advantage they
needed to attain their goals. Finally, President Ford signed a bill entitled
P.L. 93-620 giving the Havasupai natives authority to use the land
within reason (no commercial use). Tribes such as Paiutes and Hopis,
who never participated in negotiations, were beginning to receive
recognition. As a result of the legislation, two studies were to be
conducted to determine any problems that may result from the bill. The
Park Suitability Study and the Adjacent Lands Study both concluded that
boundaries remained secure through this period of change. Although
some problems were solved due to P.L. 93-620, others still remained.
Arguments concerning Indian desires for more land would remain
strong as they had in the past. Other problems pertained primarily to
issues within the park. Mining for fossil fuels, private land use, and
commercialization through tourism forced park representatives to
pursue regulations on air quality, water management, trespassing, and
unauthorized hiking. Morehouse concludes by stating different
perspectives on the Grand Canyon. Some see the area as a purified
haven while others refer to it as a overpopulated tourist attraction.
Whatever the view may be, this region can be respected for its historical
significance and the ability to withstand change. Today, agencies
involved with the Grand Canyon work toward respecting the park rather
than trying to dominate it. Recognized by Secretary of the Interior Bruce
Babbit, the park suffers when used for multiple plans. The Grand
Canyon Trust recently aids to the use of the park by analyzing all factors
of involvement. Problems concerning those affected by park restrictions
are still at hand although, are handled in a much more civilized manner
so as to accomplish a common agreement.
In concluding my reading of the book, I have formulated constructive
criticism on the author’s work. First, as I have previously mentioned,
the author’s choice to give historical and cultural background in the
beginning chapter was critical. As a reader, I had always thought of the
grand Canyon as a mosaic “place” that stood alone throughout history. I
was completely unaware of any previous activity in the area before the
establishment of the national park. Combined with knowledge of
Caribbean colonization, it was brought to my attention that much of the
same had occurred in this region. Havasupai, Hopi, and Navajo tribes
can be related to Carib and Arawak natives of the Caribbean islands who
were forced to conform to a dominating society after participating in
impossible battles. Morehouse goes on to portray the relentlessness of
United States government officials in depriving these people of their
lands. Here the author does an excellent job of writing without bias as
some authors accidentally do. Throughout the entire report she shows
all perspectives to every issue which allows the reader to fully
understand the argument. This ability to present thorough information
shows a complete dedication to research done on this subject.
Morehouse was also effective in relating issues of the Grand Canyon to
the nation as a whole. By chronologically stating information, the
reader can examine results and effects of legislation as connected to the
era. For example, information stated on attitudes toward the
preservation of land during the time of the Vietnam War made complete
sense. Citizen participation, as Morehouse writes, was demanded to
sustain progress in conservation matters because the government was
obviously occupied with foreign affairs. We can see how beneficial the
Park Service was in times of recession caused by World Wars I and II. By
providing employment, the Park Service provided activity to ease the
minds of American citizens overcome by the Depression. Another point
that is evident to us by the use of historical terms, is the solutions used
for more recent dilemmas. Havasupai and Navajo tribes affected by
restrictions of land use could no longer be monetarily satisfied. A more
civilized action must taken that includes the reality of modernized living.
It is physically detrimental and morally unacceptable to trap 300 people
on a 500 acre plot of land. Although it was monotonous to read, I was
satisfied to see that the Havasupai people remained consistent in their
demands and attained them in the correct fashion.
Constructive criticism would be incomplete if negative aspects were
neglected to be assessed. As a reader, I personally like to have
references placed where I can immediately refer to them. The book was
complete with an index and bibliography; however, notes were printed
after the final chapter which caused confusion during my reading. Also,
chapters were all arranged in the same fashion which gave a sense of
repetition. It seemed that boundary expansion issues were addressed
first, followed by their results, which preceded Indian involvement. This
repetition made it difficult to read for a great length of time without
growing restless. A possible suggestion for better understanding the
report would be the use of charts and maps to show the reader where
legislation was going into effect. One diagram in the beginning of the
book did not suffice. It soon became an identical situation to the
problem with reference.
Overall, I consider the book to be well written. A style less scientific
would make for more enjoyable reading yet can be understood for the
given subject. A relaxed style of writing in this situation may prevent
the reader from taking the subject serious. This reading has taught me
how it may be beneficial to write with some variation. To discuss the
same topics in similar order would lose any reader’s attention. One final
adjustment concerns relations to other national parks. A brief
description on trials faced by other national parks may have put this
story into a greater perspective. With all these opinions taken into
account, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in
the Grand Canyon’s history. As a began reading, I had no idea that I
would become this well informed on events and occurrences which took
place at this geological astonishment.