A Navajo trading post is an institution peculiar unto itself. It is a most extraordinary experience to sit around a hearth fire, intently listening in, to absorb all of the interesting bed time stories, when suddenly, without knocking, a Navajo medicine man, Hoskinini Begay [sic], enters, gravely shakes hands with Mrs. Wetherill, and then joining the circle sits by the fire to look and listen. It is a pleasantly strange mixture of the old civilization and the new.
"Tsaybega" ~ Muriel B. Clock, circa 1934
Just finished preparing these photos to submit in the Portfolio 4 show with The Center for Fine Art Photography (http://www.c4fap.org/). I've been intrigued with Trading Posts in the Southwest for some time. Spent most of my fall break '09 shooting on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations the historic places that are vanishing quite quickly. Once one of these places closes it doesn't take vandals very long before they start to search for things of value and the whole place disappears. Some of these places have been purchased by gas franchises and turned into "MiniMarts". But I suppose there is a certain symmetry there as they served that function from the very start! Double click on any image to enlarge. Thanks for visiting.This is the Bisti Trading Post in the Bisti Badlands near Farmington, NM, or at least what is left of it. The building was one of those corrugated metal prefab things that blew away in one of the many winds that drift through this area.
One of the originals! The Toadlena Trading Post has the classic style of its origins. Mark Winter the new owner wasn't necessarily interested in having a trading post but rather pursuing his interest in the history and geneology of the areas famous Two Grey Hills weaving history. His son, Justin Winter, was there the morning we came by. He is a very gracious and gregarious person and gave us a great introduction to the area. (http://www.toadlenatradingpost.com/index.html) As seems natural to these places, Cecil Miles a wood carver of Yei-bi-chi dancers, happened to stop in to show off his latest piece. Cecil's carvings are of exquisite quality and way out of my price range but he sure seemed to be a very sincere and ordinary guy. By the way, Toadlena has a fantastic museum which traces the lineage of one of the family of weavers, no easy task! We happened to be in the right place at the right time as there was going to be the culmination of a 9 day Yei ceremony that night. We got back to the area at 10:30 for a real treat, being able to see the Yei-bi-chi dancers!
Another one of those rare moments when things go right. This dog was very patient as he posed for me while I composed this shot. When I went to get a few more shots he came back and abliged me with his best portrait stance once again. He finally gave up on me while I considered other compositions.
One of the few "authentic" trading posts that are left in this part of the country. Established in 1878 in Ganado, AZ. The Hubbell family members operated this trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1965. The trading post store is still active and caters to the Navajo rug makers and those that seek to buy them. See this site for more info. http://www.nps.gov/hutr/index.htm 
This is the original Hogback Trading Post and not atypical as to what happens when these places are left behind. People come searching for anything of value and before long the place is in ruins. You have to look carefully for this place. It closed in 1969, the new Hogback is across Highway 64.
This place is the real deal! If you're looking for a can of spam or authentic hand woven Two Grey Hills style rugs the Hatch Bros. have it. You couldn't find a more remote place (Well, maybe you can) for a location, along the San Juan river at the end of a dirt road south of the Fruitland Trading Post. It isn't fancy and you can see the traditional "bull pen" layout that many trading posts had. I'm horrible at remembering names but the son of one of the brothers was remarkably friendly and shared some historic photos of the place with me. They are related to the other Hatch Trading Post, another branch of the family, but apparently there was some ill will along the way.
Ismay is located somewhere between Bluff, UT and Hovenweep NM in Colorado around the 4 corners region. It was early morning and I wasn't quite expecting this photo to happen as quickly as it did. Having just got out my camera when the dog came by for a drink. I had to guess at the exposure and hand hold my medium format Mamiya (one of my favorite cameras). I didn't have time to set up and the dog was on the move, it was a good morning for a walk! 
Another original trading post! The Carson Trading Post was the real deal. Established in 1918. Met Robert Garlinghouse the current owner and had a nice chat. This place is featured in a few books about trading posts. The sign blew down a while ago and they haven't gotten around to repainting or putting it back up yet. When I arrived about 2 dozen dogs announced my arrival. Robert is concerned that due to the economic downturn a lot of dogs are let go, their owners thinking they can fend for themselves, THEY CAN'T, he has so many of them on his property he had to think hard to remember how many there are. They are very lucky they have such a concerned protector.
Cow Canyon is at the junction of several roads leading into Bluff, Utah
. Bluff sits near the south end of Comb Ridge, a long sandstone ridge which prior to 1970 had only one way around. They blasted part of the ridge and now there is a north end road which gets you to Natural Bridges NM. Sandstone Spine : seeking the Anasazi on the first traverse of the Comb Ridge / David Roberts ; photographs by Greg Child. A great book about the first (documented) walk along this giant sandstone ridge.The trading post also has a restaurant serving gourmet cuisine with a Navajo twist. It wasn't open when I came by.
Maybe not from this trip but I thought I'd include it on my tour so to speak. One of those places that isn't anymore. In its heyday it saw the likes of John F. Kennedy (and boasted about it). Six or seven years ago (another senior moment strikes) the place was burned down. It sits in ruins right now but every year when I go to Santa Fe to peddle my wares people stop by and tell me of possible plans to rebuild it as the Rail Runner Train runs past it on the way to Albuquerque from Santa Fe and back. I think that would be a good thing! 
