Celebrating 150 Years

A Legacy of Hospitality

It all started in 1876. Our legacy of hospitality leadership began with Fred Harvey, a talented visionary who saw the need for quality hotels and restaurants for weary travelers making their way West.

An English-born immigrant, Fred Harvey, opened the first of his highly successful Harvey Houses in Topeka, Kansas, introducing travelers to the unique character and culture of the American Southwest. Noted architect, Mary Jane Colter, was hired to design buildings for The Fred Harvey Company that reflected their natural settings and utilized components found in Native American architecture of the time. These include the Bright Angel Lodge, Desert View Watchtower, Phantom Ranch, Hopi House, Hermit’s Rest and Lookout Studio at the Grand Canyon, as well as LaFonda in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. “Harvey cars” with tour guides transported growing numbers of tourists to scenic attractions.

The Fred Harvey Company Becomes Xanterra

After Harvey’s death in 1901, his sons, Ford and Byron, continued to operate the now substantial family business. In 1968, Xanterra acquired The Fred Harvey Company and began to apply the company’s expertise in the hospitality operations in other national parks, as well as other restaurants, hotels and tourist-related businesses nationwide. Additional restaurants, hotels and retail shops were built or bought. With the acquisition of TW Recreational Services in 1995, Xanterra became the largest national and state park concessionaire in the United States.

To this day, Xanterra remains true to the legacy established by Fred Harvey, and continues to set the standard for lodging, restaurants and concessions that complement the natural beauty of our National Parks. And 150 years later, Xanterra Travel Collection® continues the dream of providing guests with an unforgettable experience in some of the world’s most beautiful places — from the 7 seas to an Oasis in the middle of Death Valley.