Overview
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Fred Harvey Company played a pivotal role in crafting the mythology of the “Indigenous Southwest” through its expansive network of railroad hotels, tourist enterprises, and cultural excursions across Native homelands. In this deeply researched narrative, historian Christina Lake examines how tourism, commerce, preservation efforts, and Indigenous creativity converged to shape—and challenge—the enduring romantic vision of the American Southwest.
Central to Lake’s story are the diverse groups that influenced the region’s transformation: the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, the National Park Service, the Harvey Girls, and the Native artists and communities themselves.
Although these groups frequently shared a commitment to cultural preservation, they often disagreed about what authentic preservation truly meant. Their conflicting perspectives unfolded within shifting commercial and artistic markets that generated both economic possibilities and new strains.
Lake uncovers the complex balance between exploitation and economic renewal in Native arts communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the Colorado Plateau, exploring the emergence of Fred Harvey tourism as well as its continuing legacy.
While the Harvey Girls have become celebrated cultural icons, the Indian Detours couriers who introduced travelers to Indigenous landscapes and traditions have too often been overlooked or excluded from public memory. By interrogating what is remembered, honored, and erased, Lake offers a compelling reexamination of heritage tourism, cultural representation, and the creation of Southwestern identity.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Selling the Southwest (The Fred Harvey Company and the Making of Cultural Tourism), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Selling the Southwest (The Fred Harvey Company and the Making of Cultural Tourism).