Hubbell Trading Post

Today we are visiting Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. John Lorenzo Hubbell purchased the trading post in 1878, ten years after the Navajos were allowed to return to their homeland from their terrible exile at Bosque Redondo, Ft. Sumner, NM (also known as the Long Walk). During the four years spent at Bosque Redondo, Navajos were introduced to many new items. Traders like Hubbell supplied those items once they returned home.

Hubbell family members operated this trading post until it was sold to the National Park Service in 1967. The trading post is still active, and operated by the non-profit organization, Western National Parks Association, that maintains the trading traditions the Hubbell family established.

So come with us and step back in time and experience this original 160 acre homestead, including the trading post, family home and visitor center.

First stop.....Visitor Center where we will pick up a Junior Ranger Packet and learn more about the Hubbell Trading Post.....

Inside the Visitor Center they had an area set up specifically for the kids. There they could be the sales people taking money and trading things. Garrett LOVED this!!  We probably spent over an hour just doing this with him. 

Next he played dress up.....that lasted for 5 seconds and he was wanting to play at the store again :)

Even the Rangers get involved.......love that he was engaging Garrett and having him get specific things for him to buy.

We finally got him to try some other things which included rug making. 

He loved jingling that bell around the neck :)

Heading into the Hubbell Trading Post Store.

The squeaky wooden floor greets your entry into the oldest operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. When your eyes adjust to the dim light in the "bullpen" you find you’ve just entered a mercantile. Hubbell's has been serving Ganado selling groceries, grain, hardware, horse tack, coffee and Native American Art since 1878. Hubbell Trading Post is the oldest continuously operated trading post in the southwest. For us it was another store where Garrett was told, no touch, lol.........

We then headed out to check out the working farm. 

Garrett's favorite thing.....the kitty cats!! He sure loves animals so much!!

Looking at the horses. They were a little shy and didn't want much to do with us, even after Grandma and Garrett tried feeding them with some hay :(

Some of the old machinery on the farm.

They had some sheep as well as some chickens. The most vocal however, was the resident Turkey.......

The oven they would cook in. Garrett filling out his Junior Ranger Packet.

Pretty flowers along the way.

The guest house was built in the early 1930s by Roman and Dorothy Hubbell, Mr. Hubbell's son and daughter-in-law, as a tribute to Mr. Hubbell. Dorothy Hubbell carved the inner wooden door. Visitors stayed in the Hubbell home, such as artists who were interested in the color and shapes of the land; anthropologists who came to Mr. Hubbell for information; statesmen; friends of the family; and ordinary travelers in need of a place to stay. Architecturally, the guest house is in the Hogan  style. Most hogans are built of logs, and the door always faces the east. Hogans are one-room dwellings and usually have six or eight sides. Mr. Hubbell built several traditional hogans on the grounds for the Navajos who came long distances to trade. 

The gazebo they had in the visitor yard. 

Walking back to the Visitor Center to meet up with the ranger so we can start our tour of the Hubbell House.

The Hubbell House interior is exactly like it was when the last person lived in it. You can only tour the interior of the home with a ranger and only at certain times. 

Garrett finished up his Junior Ranger Packet and received his Junior Ranger Badge. So proud of our little guy!! He now has received two badges that he will be displaying in his bedroom in the RV.