Hubbell Trading Post National Monument AZ


		Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona May 18, 2007. We are camped in the free Cottonwood Campground at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, in northeastern Arizona. There are no utilities other than a central dump station and a central place to get water. Cottonwood Campground probably has around 100 sites but not many for large motorhomes. There were probably 20 that we could fit our 35' motorhome in. There might be 5 sites that would hold a 40' motorhome. It is a first come first serve campground. You can't make reservations. The campground fills up in the late afternoon up until around 8 PM then empties out the next morning. The place has a lot of turnover. My advice would be to arrive in the early afternoon. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site After visiting the overlooks on the north rim of Canyon de Chelly we decided to head south to Hubbell Trading Post. The Hubbell Trading Post is a historic place being preserved by the National Park Service. The old trading post is located about 2-miles west of Ganado, AZ 35-miles south of Canyon de Chelly. If you have a mapping program it is located at: N35° 42.600' W109° 35.506'. We had planned to visit Hubbell Trading Post on our way to Canyon de Chelly but it was so late in the day (after 5 PM) that we missed it. That is why we back tracked in our Saturn to visit it today. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This is the front door to the old trading post. Oddly enough the trading post is still selling Navajo products like jewelry and woolen rugs. Inside, a Navajo woman was weaving a rug. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This is a view of the remainder of the Hubbell Trading Post. The far section is a barn and blacksmith shop. Petrified wood on display at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona These pieces of petrified wood were on display outside the Hubbell Trading post. Petrified wood seat Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This piece of petrified wood looked like a perfect seat. Navajo Hogan at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This "hogan" was located next to the old Hubbell house. It is one of the finest hogans we have seen. Door post Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This was on the mantle above the door on that hogan. I still do not know what to make of it, and we did not stick around for the NPS tour. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This large piece of rock was sitting in an outside room that Navajos use in the middle of the day. These rooms have roofs but the sides are open to allow a breeze. This outside room had vines growing up the sides providing additional cooling. The large thin slab of sandstone caught my attention. Huge outdoor oven at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This huge oven was located behind the Hubbell house. It looks large enough to bake for a crowd. Large old barn at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This is the old barn. Note the construction of sandstone walls with Mexican style vigas (log beams for the ceiling). Mexican Viga style roof on barn at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This is a side view of the barn better showing how the ceiling/roof was constructed. Hay is currently being stored in the loft area. Viga style ceiling construction at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona This is looking up in the barn at the viga construction of the ceiling. Hay is stored in the loft. Viga barn ceiling at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona Yet another view of the viga style barn ceiling. Hay storage in barn at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona Here you can see the hay being stored. This has worked well for over 100-years. Mexican Viga style roof construction Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Arizona Close-up of vigas with the much smaller limbs that make up the ceiling. Click here for more Arizona travellogs Until next time remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix More Arizona Adventures Some Utah Adventures More 2007 Travel Adventures Mike & Joyce Hendrix Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year Travel Adventures by State Plants Marine-Boats Geology Exciting Drives Cute Signs RV Subjects Miscellaneous Subjects** We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.