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Looking For Grandview tells the story of Pete Berry and the impact he had on the Grand Canyon’s history. From the tragic events that brought him to Arizona, to the disasters that impacted the town of Flagstaff. Hardship led Berry to search for fortune in copper hidden deep within the canyon. Like many early prospectors, Berry soon realized mining was difficult and tourism was the real “gold rush” bringing interest and economic development to the early Grand Canyon. In 1897 he opened the first real hotel at the canyon’s rim, the Grandview Hotel

Biographical Notes

GCHS member Keaton Vanderploeg grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Life Sciences and History. In 2017, he began working at Grand Canyon National Park, where he quickly fell in love with guiding, developing a style that blends geology, history, ecology, and storytelling into one seamless adventure.

In 2026 Keaton launched Grand Day Tours with a simple goal: to offer tours that are personal, meaningful, and unforgettable. A good guide doesn’t just show you the view, they help you see it.