Mary Colter

Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter was an American architect and designer. She was one of the very few female American architects in her day. She was the designer of many landmark buildings and spaces for the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railroad, notably in Grand Canyon National Park. Her work had enormous influence as she helped to create a style, blending Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival architecture with Native American motifs and Rustic elements, that became popular throughout the Southwest.

Mary Colter was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to William H. Colter, an Irish immigrant, and Rebecca Crozier. Her family moved to Colorado and Texas before settling down in St. Paul, Minnesota, which she considered to be her home. There she graduated high school at the age of 14. After her father died in 1886, Colter attended the California School of Design , and apprenticed with a local architectural firm. She then taught art, drafting, and architecture in St. Paul for some years. Colter taught at the Mechanic Arts High School for fifteen years and lectured at the University Extension School.

Source: Wikipedia