National Park Service

The Desert View Watchtower at Grand Canyon National Park.

Restoration work is now complete on the Grand Canyon Desert View Watchtower.

Lily Daniels, with the Grand Canyon National Park, said damage caused by rain, snow and visitors over 80 years took its toll on an important structure with immense cultural and anthropological significance.

“It has been used as a cultural center for our tribal communities. And so you’ll see that reflected within the watchtower in the murals,” Daniels said. “Some of these were painted based off drawings from ancient kivas, caves and cliff walls, very regional, inspirational drawings.”

The tower was designed in 1932 by architect Mary Colter as were a number of other landmarks on the South Rim.