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Looking
Back
On May 15, La Posada Hotel
will mark the 77- year anniversary of its opening in
1930. This Winslow landmark holds unique historical
significance as the “last great railroad hotel.” Commissioned
by the Fred Harvey Company, a renowned hotel and restaurant
chain of its day, with locations all along the Santa
Fe railway line, La Posada was designed by famed southwestern
arts and craft architect, Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter.
Company head Fred Harvey was known in the 19th century
for relocating eastern women (Harvey Girls) to work
in his establishments. The commission of La Posada
marks a decades-long relationship between Colter and
the Fred Harvey Company. Colter’s vision of an
old Spanish hacienda and its imaginative backstory
is reflected in every detail of the design, from the
plants in the sunken garden to the iron jackrabbit
ashtrays in the lobby.
In 1997, on the brink of
abandonment, the building was purchased by historical
preservationist Allan Affeldt. As it stands today,
La Posada reflects 10 years of restorative efforts
and guests are once again enjoying the hospitality
of this grand hacienda.
If you go:
La Posada Hotel
303 E. 2nd St. (Route 66)
Winslow, AZ 86047
Reservations (La Posada and
Turquoise Room)
928-289-4366
laposada.org
Photos courtesy of:
Special Collections/University of Arizona Library/Box
1 Folder 10, #N-11926
Modern Image: Photo Courtesy of La Posada Hotel
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