.jpg "Kolb Studio under snow SR GRCA NP AZ")
Kolb StudioThe Kolb Studio residence tour almost didn’t happen.
.jpg "Snow at SR GRCA NP AZ")
I literally waded thru knee deep snow, off trail to avoid the longer plowed road walk to get to the rim.
.jpg "Kolb Studio residence tour gate with snow SR GRCA NP AZ")
Residence gateRanger James was waiting outside the Kolb Studio Gift shop waiting for the person with the key. He said all the snow could put things on two hour delay. But the keeper of the key arrived and after a little shoveling our group carefully descended to the residence below.
.jpg "Kolb Studio with foggy canyon view SR GRCA NP AZ")
Kolb Studio and canyon viewKolb Studio itself almost didn’t happen. If the elder brother Ellsworth Kolb had hopped a freight to China as planned. If Ellsworth hadn’t talked his younger brother Emery into boating down the Colorado River with a movie camera.
.jpg "Ellsworth and Emery Kolk cutouts in Kolb Studio residence SR GRCA NP AZ")
Life-size cutouts of Ellsworth and EmeryEllsworth came to the canyon in 1901 followed by Emery in 1903 and his wife Blanche in 1905. Ellsworth worked as a bellman in the Bright Angel Hotel and Emery bought photographic equipment from a studio in Williams, Arizona and brought it to the canyon.
.jpg "Kolb Studio historic photo NAU 568-2786 archive SR GRCA NP SA")
NAU 568-2786 archive
A year later, without any plan or experience, they built a small studio quite literally on the canyon rim.
.jpg "Snow covered Bright Angel trail from Kolb studio window SR GRCA NP AZ")
Bright Angel trail from studio window
Emery took hundreds of thousands of photos of the people riding mules into the Canyon. Then because there was no water on the rim he presumably ran four miles down the trail to Indian Garden, quickly developed the glass plates and then ran back up to the top to sell the photos to the visitors upon their return ride to the South Rim.
.jpg "Historic photo Emery filming Ellsworth shooting rapids NAU 568-5380 archive")
Emery filming Ellsworth shooting rapids NAU 568-5380 archive
The inexperienced brothers made history when they took two boats down the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1911-12 taking the first movie pictures of the wild ride.
.jpg "Ranger James shows historic photo of Ellsworth holding a rope with Emery hanging")
Ellsworth on top with Emery hanging
After the river trip’s completion and a transcontinental movie promotional tour, they returned to Grand Canyon. They continued documenting their crazy hiking adventures and produced a souvenir book full of photos.
.jpg "Historic photo Kolb Studio NAU 568-772 archive SR GRCA NP AZ")
NAU 568-772 archive
In 1915 the building was enlarged to include a three-story addition for living quarters, a shop and an auditorium seating 80.
.jpg "Kolb Studio auditorium SR GRCA NP AZ")
Enlarged auditorium in 1925
From 1915 until his death in 1976 Emery showed the river trip movie daily and narrated until 1932 when a recorded narration was added, yet he always introduced the movie.
.jpg "Kolb Studio residence dinning room SR GRCA NP AZ")
Dining room
The only time Emery and Ellsworth got along was on the river trip and their business partnership was dissolved in 1924 when Emery won the coin toss (two out of three) and the rights to the studio. Ellsworth received a monthly allotment in Los Angles where he lived until 1960.
.jpg "Kolb Studio residence main salon SR GRCA NP AZ")
Main salon
Throughout the following years minor changes to the building occurred, but the structure has remained essentially the same for nearly 80 years. It is five stories high and contains 23 rooms.
.jpg "Kolb Studio residence veranda off salon SR GRCA NP AZ")
Veranda off salon
Emery and daughter Edith had a strained relationship with the National Park Service. When Emery died, Edith removed everything from the studio that would now be managed by the Service.
.jpg "Kolb Studio veranda view with snow SR GRCA NP AZ")
View from veranda
The building was fully remodeled in 2004 with funds from the Grand Canyon Association for the Kolb Studio Centennial. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, historic Kolb Studio is open year-round offering a bookstore, photo gallery and excellent view (most of the time). Residence tours require reservations and are limited to 15 people.Today, February 26, 2010 marks the 91st anniversary of Grand Canyon National Park thanks to the forethought of first Theodore Roosevelt and then Woodrow Wilson.
NAU 568-2786 archiveA year later, without any plan or experience, they built a small studio quite literally on the canyon rim.
Bright Angel trail from studio windowEmery took hundreds of thousands of photos of the people riding mules into the Canyon. Then because there was no water on the rim he presumably ran four miles down the trail to Indian Garden, quickly developed the glass plates and then ran back up to the top to sell the photos to the visitors upon their return ride to the South Rim.
Emery filming Ellsworth shooting rapids NAU 568-5380 archiveThe inexperienced brothers made history when they took two boats down the Green and Colorado Rivers in 1911-12 taking the first movie pictures of the wild ride.
Ellsworth on top with Emery hangingAfter the river trip’s completion and a transcontinental movie promotional tour, they returned to Grand Canyon. They continued documenting their crazy hiking adventures and produced a souvenir book full of photos.
NAU 568-772 archiveIn 1915 the building was enlarged to include a three-story addition for living quarters, a shop and an auditorium seating 80.
Enlarged auditorium in 1925From 1915 until his death in 1976 Emery showed the river trip movie daily and narrated until 1932 when a recorded narration was added, yet he always introduced the movie.
Dining roomThe only time Emery and Ellsworth got along was on the river trip and their business partnership was dissolved in 1924 when Emery won the coin toss (two out of three) and the rights to the studio. Ellsworth received a monthly allotment in Los Angles where he lived until 1960.
Main salonThroughout the following years minor changes to the building occurred, but the structure has remained essentially the same for nearly 80 years. It is five stories high and contains 23 rooms.
Veranda off salonEmery and daughter Edith had a strained relationship with the National Park Service. When Emery died, Edith removed everything from the studio that would now be managed by the Service.
View from verandaThe building was fully remodeled in 2004 with funds from the Grand Canyon Association for the Kolb Studio Centennial. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, historic Kolb Studio is open year-round offering a bookstore, photo gallery and excellent view (most of the time). Residence tours require reservations and are limited to 15 people.Today, February 26, 2010 marks the 91st anniversary of Grand Canyon National Park thanks to the forethought of first Theodore Roosevelt and then Woodrow Wilson.
The pictures are good enough for me. I'd be afraid that the day I stepped inside is when it finally decides to obey the laws of gravity.
Very informative with great photos. I would have been afraid of slipping in all that snow and going over the edge.
Are the furnishings original or ones of the era purchased for the residence?
Gaelyn: Thanks so much for the fun tour of the canyon studio. What a view. That looked like a tough walk up there.
So interesting,,Gaelyn. I was in the studio in spring a couple years ago. Oh what a difference the snow makes.
Thank you for that interesting piece of history. I love this country for its entrepreneurial spirit seen in these 2 brothers!
I just love the picture of the one hanging by the seat of his pants! That's a real photo junkie.
Whoa! How amazing is that snow! I was there in November without snow but 2 years ago there was some snow but, nothing like this! I love seeing this! Thank you for getting there the hard way!
I can't believe all that snow! Kolb Studio Residence looks like a fascinating place to tour. I like the auditorium and the veranda.
Those early pioneers amaze me. I just cannot believe the things they did. Wonderful pictures. Thanks as always.
Wow, the Canyon really looks so great with all that snow and fog.. I've never been there in the winter but may have to give it a try:) Great pics and story… thanks.
You keep giving me more reasons to visit the south rim. I am going to have to talk JIm into going when we go to Flagstaff next time.
Hey, great information.
And that is quite a studio–gift shop–living quarters–etc.
Ellsworth and Emery were quite the adventurers. Thank goodness. Supers pictures.
One never thinks of snow in the Canyon—but we never see winter pictures. Thanks, MB
What a wonderful story. It just goes to show how a chance thing can change a life or lives sometimes. Fate deals the hands it should. This is a fantastic place to have a studio.
Great post Gaelyn! The picture from the Kolb studio and residence are wonderful. It is really on the edge there. I know you leave soon for your trip to Africa, I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip. Can not wait to see some photos from there.
Glad I found your blog, you sound very interesting person.
Keep well
LG
Great photos! Thanks for sharing them!
Wow, what a story. I love this.
Thanks for the excellent tour Gaelyn..your posts are always filled with great information..
thanks!
What an amazing place, and an even more incredible story!
now that is a place I would love to visit, thanks for the tour.
Gill in a snowy Canada, but not as much snow as there……
Very cool. I like the back story a lot.
Beautiful place! The vintage photos look awesome too! I'm sure it must have been a great tour!
Pixellicious Photos
Wonderful post. Did they ever get any of the stuff back from daughter Edith?