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Tusayan area explored in new book
Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village available next week

WILLIAMS - The town of Tusayan, dedicated in 1920 one year after Grand Canyon National Park, has a rich history. That history has now been documented in words and pictures by local author Patrick Whitehurst.

Whitehurst, also associate editor for the Williams-Grand Canyon News, recently completed Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village, part of the "Images of America" series published by Arcadia Publishing. He began compiling photos and researching the history of Tusayan in early 2009.

"The book is about the history of the Tusayan area, but more than that, it covers what makes Tusayan special - and that's the Grand Canyon," Whitehurst said. "Tusayan wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the Grand Canyon."

Chapters in the book feature the Grand Canyon School, Hull Cabin, George Reed, the Thurston family, tourism, the cemetery and the Havasupai Tribe, who continue to inhabit the area to this day.

"I thought it was real important to put the Havasupai at the beginning of the book," Whitehurst said. "So, not only does the book appeal to people who know and love Tusayan but it will also appeal to visitors to the area who want to know a little bit more about how important the Grand Canton is in shaping the local history."

Available Sept. 6, Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village features more than 200 vintage images. Whitehurst will hold a book signing Sept. 11 at the IMAX Theater National Geographic Visitors Center from 1-3 p.m. and sign copies at Colors of the West in Williams this Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.

Whitehurst said he was fortunate to have help from local community members as well.

"I had a lot of help from the Thurston family, including Clarinda Vail, who was instrumental in helping me to produce this book," he said. "If it wasn't for her, it would undoubtedly not be a finished product. Also, Mike Quinn, with the National Park Service, gave me access to the Forest Service's photo archive. He was a great resource. I really appreciate all of his help. Also, I need to thank Mary Hoover at the Grand Canyon American Legion for all of her help as well."

The book covers the history of Tusayan into the 1980s.

"I had a great time researching this book," Whitehurst said. "I learned a lot about the area in and around Tusayan. It's a fascinating area. Tusayan has such an intriguing past and the community continues to make history to this day."

Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village is not the first book Whitehurst has published. In 2005, he self-published a book featuring local folklore, Legends, Ghosts and Superstitions of Williams and the Grand Canyon. He also completed Williams, also part of Arcadia's Images of America series in 2008.

A native of the Monterey Peninsula of California, Whitehurst moved to Williams in 1994. He has two children, Ben and Libby. Whitehurst is also president of the Northern Arizona Authors Association. A compilation of stories written by members of the group, entitled Collected Works 2010, will be released in the coming months. He is also currently at work on two novels.

Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village will be available at area bookstores, independent retailers and online at

barnesandnoble.com, overstock.com and amazon.com; or through the publisher at (888) 313-2665 or arcadiapublishing.com.


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