Hubbell Trading Post - Navajo Reservation - AZ - 9/27

What an interesting spot. John Lorenzo Hubbell established a Trading Post in the late 1890's. He built a wonderful relationship with the Navajo Indians. He was extremely respectful and honest. In 1902, he built a hacienda in the Mexican adobe style. What a place. The walls are two feet thick, there was a courtyard in the middle of the home. The home was really big which surprised me. It had tall ceilings and larger bedrooms than we have in most homes today.

This was our guide. She was a doll. Carolyn is standing by a chunk of really big Turquoise. Hubbell went on a trip and when he returned home, his daughters had put his Indian Basket collection on the ceiling. Some are nailed through the center. Do you have any idea what these baskets are worth? A LOT!! The guide told us that putting a basket upside down is against Navajo tradition. She also said, that when a basket falls off the ceiling, the Park Service requires them to put it back up.

This is a Hogan. It is NOT in the traditional Navajo style. Hogans are a spiritual place for men & women. This one below is in the shape that a women's Hogan would appear; however, the door must face due east. Hogans are not made in this fancy of fashion.

This is a man's hogan. It is made of sticks with door facing due east.

These flowers covering the hogan reminded me a Lilacs.

This is the inside of the Man's Hogan. That is a bench going all the way around the inside. In the center of the room was a big slab of sandstone which was used as a table.

This is the dinner bell.

This is the bread oven. The cook could bake 100 loafs of bread at one time. There was a large support staff working for Mr. Hubbell, there was even a dormitory.

This looked like a Paddy Wagon ... or maybe an animal trailer. I don't know why she's smiling so big ... she must not have known what I was thinking. Just kidding!!!

These were just old wagons that were used by the Hubbell staff.