Keynote - A Woman’s Influence – Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and La Fonda on the Plaza
Colter (1869-1958), an architect and designer, worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and the Harvey Company for nearly 55 years. Known for her work at the Grand Canyon, including Hermit’s Rest, Hopi House, the Desert Watchtower, among other structures, she designed multiple buildings along the rail line between from Chicago to Los Angeles. One of few women in the field working at the time, she helped establish the romance of the west through design, including at La Fonda on the Plaza. Learn about the influence that Colter had on the renovations of the hotel and how her story continues to impact work done in Santa Fe and beyond.