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.
- Toadlena Trading Post
- The Gap Trading Post
- Tuba City Trading Post
- Totsoh Trading Post
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
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
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
Built in 1950, this trading post still operates today in the community of Lukachukai, Arizona. Founded by Bradley Blair and Carolyn Recknagel Blair around 1950.
For more information, contact:
Totsoh Trading Post
P.O. Box 218
Lukachukai, Arizona 86507
(928) 787-2281
- Hubbell Trading Post
- Foutz Trading Post
- Teec Nos Pos Trading
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
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
Hambleton Bridger Noelwas the last of four brothers to move west toIndian Territory(Fort Defiance, Arizona) in1898, fromEssex 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 localNavajoswerein agreement forallowing thisbilagáana(white man) to establish a trading post atTeec Nos Pos. A few years earlier in Chaco Canyon (60 miles southeast of theTeec Nos Posarea),Noelhad the good fortune to have befriended a sick and hungryNavajonamed Black Horse.Black Horsewas 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 thebilagáana. However,in 1905 he was at theTeec Nos Posarea andremembered the kindness ofNoeland spoke quite strongly on behalf of the trading post being built. In addition, theNavajosappreciated 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
Box940
IntersectionHighway 160 & 64
Teec Nos Pos, Arizona 86514
928-656-3224
- Shonto Trading Post
- Two Grey Hills Trading Post
- Oljato Trading Post
The Shonto Trading Post was first built in 1914as a trading hub for beads, rugs, pottery, silver, wool, and other goods.
As of late December2017, 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 Postinthe 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 has been in operation for over 100 years. Two Grey Hills Trading post was built in 1897, famous for its “Two Grey Hills” Navajo rug design. This trading post was operated by Mr. Les Wilson.
For more information, contact:
Two Grey Hills Trading Post
HCR330, Box 70
Tohatchi, New Mexico
(505) 789-3270
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.
