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Hubbell Trading Post - Civil War ambulance wagon.
Painted Desert Inn - rear and restrooms
Petrified Forest NP: the Tepees - car park
Petrified Forest Nat. Park - Blue MesaGanado - Hubbell Trading Post
Ganado is about halfway between Petrified Forest National Park and Chinle (our next that day) and having some spare time we decided to visit the Hubbell Trading Post just outside this Navajo village.
When entering the homestead it is just like stepping back in time (just these modern cars should get another car park). The main building with its long stone walls looks exactly as in the past (saw some old pictures) and I think the old wooden floor of the shop (or bullpen as it is called) creaks as much as it did in the older days when Navajos were negotiating with one of the Hubbell family. Even nowadays this trading post is still active and trading traditions are maintained by the Western National Parks Association.
In the middle of the ‘bullpen’ stands an ‘old fashioned’ stove, which is surrounded by massive counters and shelves filled with coffee, flour, sugar, candy, blankets, tobacco, calico, pocket knives, energy drinks, canned goods and much more. Hardware, harnesses and baskets are hanging from the ceiling.
On the right hand side is a small room with wonderful Navajo rugs, pottery and (silver) jewelry: a special place for buying an original Navajo souvenir.
We walked around the grounds of the homestead and saw some of the old buildings, like barns, the bunkhouse, a guest ‘hogan’, but also historic farm equipment and even a Civil War ambulance wagon.
Meeting
Strolling around we met a Dutch woman, who started working as a volunteer nine years ago and now is married and living in one of the houses of the homestead. Nice to talk a little while in our own language so far away from home.
Opening hours: 8 am till 6 pm (winter 5 pm); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day.
Admission fee: free of charge, just the guided Hubbell Home Tours are USD 2,- pp (ask at the Visitor Center).
Addres/directions: Ganado, Arizona; Just 1 mile west of Ganado along Highway 264.
Accessible along Highway 190 from the south (Chambers / Petrified Forest National Park) and north (Chinle).
