Trading Posts

A Center Point of Community

Business In the Old West

Blending the old world with the new, the Navajo Nation has preserved some of the old west with these Trading Posts that are still in business today. Many of these are located in the original buildings from the late 1800s and have changed only slightly since then. Selling anything from daily use commodities to artistic Navajo textiles (commonly known as Navajo rugs), handmade pottery & art, these stops along the way are a great way to connect with the Navajo culture of yesterday and today.

The Toadlena Trading Post operates in the same way trading posts have since the 1870s – directly with the weaver and her family. You are offered the unique opportunity to acquire a textiles of timeless beauty, acknowledged excellence and lasting value.

While you are here, be sure to read about Clara Sherman, master Navajo weaver. The Toadlena Trading Post exists today for the primary purpose of inspiring future generations of Navajo weaving excellence. Clara was recently honored twice for her life and weaving skills. They are the living proof that the weaving tradition is still alive.

Toadlena also has a Rug Museum containing multiple designs of Diné rugs woven by local rug weavers of the surrounding communities.

The Toadlena Trading Post is located about 1 hour north of Gallup, NM on Highway 491, turn west on Indian Route 19 and continue west for 13 miles. Once you see the old paddle steamer boat in a yard, that is where the Toadlena Trading Post is.

For more information contact:

Toadlena Trading Post
P.O. Box 8041
Newcomb, NM 87455

505-789-3267

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Set among the red rock scenery along Highway 89, this historic trading post accommodates the town of Gap, Arizona. The Trading Post is located on the Navajo reservation well into the northern part of Arizona, 85 miles north of Flagstaff and 45 miles south of Page on Highway 89. This is a refreshing rest stop along the route to grab a cool soda, enjoy the scenery, and reflect on the travelers that have been through this historic site in days past.

For more information contact:

The Gap Trading Post
P.O. Box 1480
Gap, Arizona 86020

928-283-8932

Click here for Google Maps directions

Since its establishment in 1906, the Tuba City Trading Post has not changed very much. Since 1870, the Tuba City Trading Post has been a place of commerce among the Navajo people in the area. The Trading Post has been restored to capture much of its original appearance and still remains a working trading post.

To this day the trading post contains authentic American Indian arts and crafts such as hand crafted silver jewelry, pottery, woven rugs, sand paintings, Kachina dolls, and clothing – each reflecting the superb craftsmanship and cultural traditions of the artist.

For more information contact:

Tuba City Trading Post
10 N. Main Street
Tuba City, Arizona 86045

928-283-5441

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The oldest continuously operating trading post on the Navajo Nation and the United States, Hubbell Trading Post is an important thread in the fabric of Navajo history. Established in 1876, this mercantile and others founded by John Lorenzo Hubbell came to be the lifeline of supplies for Navajos looking to re-establish themselves following the “Long Walk” of 1864. It was also a place for Navajos to meet and socialize in the days before the automobile.

Today, the Trading Post still sells groceries and dry goods, but it is also a National Historic Site, and features a bookstore, exhibits and rug weaving demonstrations. Take a journey back through time as you take part in a self guided tour of the grounds of the original 160 acre homestead, including the trading post, Hubbell home and visitor center.

For more information contact:

P.O. Box 150
Ganado, AZ 86505

928-755-3475

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Foutz Trading Co. was established in 1979 in Shiprock, NM on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The president is Bill Foutz, who’s family has been traders to the Navajo people, on and off the reservation, for over 100 years.

Bill Foutz Rugs which is our wholesale division, is one of the largest distributors of authentic Navajo Indian Arts and Crafts in the nation.

For more information contact:

Foutz Trading Post
Highway 64
Shiprock, NM 87420

505-368-5790

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Hambleton Bridger Noel was the last of four brothers to move west to Indian Territory (Fort Defiance, Arizona) in 1898, from Essex County, Virginia. His decision to move to this area was strongly influenced by health concerns. Noel had tuberculosis and he hoped the dry air of the high desert would have a positive influence on his health.

Not all of the local Navajos were in agreement for allowing this bilagáana (white man) to establish a trading post at Teec Nos Pos. A few years earlier in Chaco Canyon (60 miles southeast of the Teec Nos Pos area), Noel had the good fortune to have befriended a sick and hungry Navajo named Black Horse. Black Horse was a large man with a fierce and demonstrative disposition. He was neither a chief nor head of a clan and for good reason, he clearly disliked the bilagáana. However, in 1905 he was at the Teec Nos Pos area and remembered the kindness of Noel and spoke quite strongly on behalf of the trading post being built. In addition, the Navajos appreciated the convenience of having a trading post to avoid travel in bad weather, to buy trade goods, or sell sheep, wool, or hides.

For more information contact:

Teec Nos Pos Trading Post
Box 940
Intersection Highway 160 & 64
Teec Nos Pos, Arizona 86514

928-656-3224

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The Shonto Trading Post was first built in 1914 as a trading hub for beads, rugs, pottery, silver, wool, and other goods.
As of late December 2017, the Historic Shonto Trading Post has permanently closed its doors, due to deterioration of the building. The store and its owners have moved 17 miles northwest to Inscription House Trading Post in the community of Ts’ahbiikin, Arizona.

For more information contact:

Inscription House Trading Post
5300 Bahajooba Way
Tonalea, Arizona 86044
Hours: 8am to 5pm MST

928-672-2651
Click here for Google Maps directions

This trading post is permanently closed. Constructed in 1921, the Oljato Trading Post was owned and constructed by Joseph Hefferman until 1936 when he sold the post. The Oljato Trading Post was recently (2020) stabilized with the partnership between the Oljato Chapter House, San Juan County (Utah) Historial Commision, San Juan (Utah) County, Utah Division of State History, The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), The Utah Division of Indian Affairs, and the Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department. The post was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1980.

For more information, contact:

Oljato Chapter House
(435) 727-5850

*No verified phone number found for Oljato Trading Post.

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Trading Posts

A Center Point of Community

Business In the Old West

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Trading Posts

A Center Point of Community

Business In the Old West