The beautiful Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim was built by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood and was finished in 1928. Native stone and timber were used to make the lodge with much of the main lodge featuring Kaibab limestone that makes up the cliff at Bright Angel Point. Underwood built 120 cabins surrounding the main lodge then later added 20 more in 1928. The lodge was initially run by the Utah Parks Company, who was also a National Park Concessioner in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

As the lodge flourished when it was initially opened, a devastating fire began in the lodge’s basement which nearly destroyed all the main lodge and two cabins. Despite this setback, in 1936 the lodge began being rebuilt. While the original stonework was reused, the lodge was scaled back to ensure it could withstand a strong winter snow that comes to the North Rim. For this reason, the original second story observation tower was not rebuilt, however the main Dining Room and Recreation rooms were reconstructed with higher roofs.

The lodge has been in operation since it reopened in 1936. It officially earned designation as a National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987, forever cementing its place in American History.