Harvey Girls
The Harvey Girls became perhaps, the most lasting legacy of the Fred Harvey story. These young women, age 18 to 30, brightened the Harvey House restaurants with cheerfulness and impeccable service, and in the process became a national legend.
In the beginning, they brought a civilizing influence and charm to the rough and barren Southwest frontier. Recruited from the North, South, and middle sections of the country, they signed on to work as waitresses, in exchange for a modest salary plus tips, lodging in dormitories, and distinctive black and white uniforms. Often they were the only females for miles around. Long after the American frontier became settled, they continued to exemplify the high standards demanded at the Harvey House restaurants, hotels, and resorts.
Their public image and esteem were celebrated in the 1946 MGM movie, The Harvey Girls, starring Judy Garland. For thousands of young women, being a Harvey Girl was the most memorable experience of their lives. Although the Fred Harvey Company faded into history in the 1960s, there are women today who proudly claim that they were a Harvey Girl.
