Thursday, April 3, 2014

HARVEY GIRLS AND THE EL TOVAR HOTEL By Cynthia Hickey

 
The Grand Canyon became a national landmark in 1919, but before that time it was a place for tourists to marvel at one of God's greatest creations. Becoming Federally Protected in 1893, several folks rushed to set up accommodations for weary travelers. In 1905, Fred Harvey opened the El Tovar Hotel and hired lovely young women to serve these very travelers. As always, Fred Harvey built the Hotel to reflect the wonder of its surroundings, hiring local contractors to make it appear as part of the area. Built just feet from the canyon's edge, the Hotel itself became an attraction of its own.












In the midst of it all, the Harvey Girls provided service with a smile in surroundings that were hard to beat.


The luxury of the hotel at that time was unsurpassed by few. Fred Harvey spared no expense at enriching the traveler's expectations. Rambling porches that offered views of the canyon and comfortable rooms filled the Hotel with guests. The hotel still looks the same as it did over one hundred years ago and the waitresses still wear the famous Harvey Girl uniform. If you are near the Grand Canyon or the town of Williams, Arizona, make it a point to stop by this piece of American history.

 











Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of An Unconventional Lady

My second Harvey Girl book, An Unconventional Lady, takes place at the El Tovar Hotel.

ANNIE ROLLINS LONGS FOR ADVENTURE 
But her strict mother keeps her close to home, working as a Harvey Girl waitress. Until Dallas Baker shows up in town and takes the job Annie really wants—leading tours through the Grand Canyon. Annie's frustrated, but finds it impossible to ignore the handsome outdoorsman.
With her split skirts and modern hairdo, Annie challenges Dallas's old-fashioned notions of what makes a lady. To his surprise, he finds her delightful, until he learns she has no interest in settling down. Dallas is ready to win her heart, but is Annie willing to fall in love?










Multi-published and Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents. She is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”. Visit her website at www.cynthiahickey.com

 

 
 
 


19 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this delightful post, Cynthia! I loved learning about the El Tovar Hotel and the famous Harvey Girl waitresses. I have visited the Grand Canyon, but not the hotel. I am certainly adding it to my must-visit list!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  2. I love stories of the Harvey Girls ever since a little girl and I saw the movie Harvey Girls with Judy garland..thanks for the chance to win. truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. How interesting! I would like to learn more about the Harvey Girls. I had read about the railroad bringing diners, but did not know about sites drawing them too opening up an avenue to be served by the Harvey Girls. Add me to the mix for the drawing for a copy of your book, please. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  4. This was an interesting post. It prompted me to look up on images of the El Tovar Hotel. It is quite an spectacular place. I'd love to read another of your books about the Harvey Girls. I really enjoyed Cooking Up Love.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. I loved this post, so very interesting. I have read about the Harvey Girls and was captivated by their story. Thank you for sharing.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. Would love to go back in time and see what it was like.
    Stephaniej1984 at hotmail dot com

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  7. I find the whole concept of the Harvey girls very fascinating and I love reading about them as fact or in fictionalized stories! Now, I know your Harvey girl's series will be in 6 separate books but they going to take foreverrrrrrrrrrrrr for them to all come out! Thanks for the chance to win An Unconventional Lady to help the waiting period go by a bit more quickly!
    kam110476 (at) gmail dot com

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  8. I love the Harvey Girls stories!

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. There are actually only four Harvey girl books. This is the second. The third releases in July and the 4th in November. Thank you for all the comments. I'll draw a winner soon

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  10. Although I've always wanted to go see the Grand Canyon, I'm even more interested now! I'd have to make it a point to go to the El Tovar Hotel, too. I love learning about the history of such fabulous places. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book, too. I'm sure it will whet my appetite even more to get there, than it already is!

    pudy68 @ gmail dot com

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  11. I'm glad I took notes of my surroundings becuase if I didn't I wouldn't remember what it looked like inside. But I did! :)
    But for me Old Faithful Inn is much more memorable! :) If you're visiting Yellow Stone Park, don't forget to stop by there. Though rooms aren't that great.

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  12. I need to put El Tovar Hotel on my dream list of places to explore the next time I go to the Grand Canyon. I am enjoying this wonderful series!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  13. You know what. I was there and can't remember what it looked like inside. It took me a long moment here to remember. I'm glad I was writing on my laptop when I was there. I was describing things to myself. So, I'm glad I took notice of my surroundings.
    annalabno2004@yahoo.com
    But I can't forget my stay at Old Faithful Inn in Yellow Stone Park. It must have been more memorable.

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  14. Cynthia, you know I enjoy all things about the Harvey Girls and you've added more to that enjoyment. Thank you.

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  15. I loved reading about the Harvey girls and remember a movie with Judy Garland as one. I became fascinated with them then. Thanks for some new info to add to what I had.

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  16. I really enjoy reading Harvey Girl books. It seems like such a great idea that Fred Harvey had. We were at the Grand Canyon and forgot to go into the El Tovar and eat so we could see the waitresses outfits and ask them about the Harvey girls. Love to win your book. sharon wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. A very interesting post, Cynthia! I really want to go back to the Grand Canyon now at see the El Tovar Hotel! But not before I read your book!!

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  18. I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Cynthia! I have never been to the Grand Canyon - certainly hope to see it some day, and El Tovar Hotel will now be at the top of the must-see list :) Would love to win the book..
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  19. And the winner is .... pudy68!

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