Shortly after World War I, Cedar City citizens recognized that tourism tied to the new national parks and monuments would benefit their rural community, and with the railroad bringing visitors, a hotel across from the depot became the answer. The El Escalante Hotel, designed by Georg A. (Bert) Wood in 1921 using native materials, was a massive brick L-shaped structure with ninety-two rooms in three stories, the third story set in the pitched roof. In January 1923, Union Pacific Railroad purchased the hotel to accommodate anticipated travelers visiting the scenic wonders of Southern Utah, and its subsidiary, the Utah Parks Company, developed and operated park facilities and amenities that eventually led to thousands staying at the hotel each year. The El Escalante also served Cedar City as a community gathering place, with winter dances every Saturday night and New Year's Eve parties in the basement ballroom along the north side. During World War II, it was used as a dorm for pilot trainees. As rail travel declined during the 1950s, the hotel was sold to the city, and in 1970 it was sold again to a private entity and eventually replaced.