When we write about trading posts we don’t mean the gaudy
tourist traps one might find off an interstate.
What we’re describing is what used to be the life blood on an Indian
reservation. Place where folks who were
forced to live went to buy and often time trade for essentials such as food
stuffs like flour, salt etc.
Rear wall of the trading post in Oljato UT
Another rear wall Oljato UT
While there are still some operational trading posts to
be found the majority are now closed.
The advent of better transportation help close this way of life on many
reservations. We don’t look for the
trading posts that remain open; instead we prefer the older closed defunct abandoned
ones.
Front wall Oljato UT
We recently spent several days on the Navajo Nation in
the Monument Valley area of Arizona and Utah and found two old trading posts.
Front wall Oljato UT
Looking down the front wall, Oljato UT
The first in Oljato Utah is located 10-miles from Goulding’s
in Monument Valley and is easily accessible by paved road. Take the road running between the airfield
and new housing for 10-miles and Oljato is on the left side. Watch for herds of sheep along the way; in
other words slow down and enjoy the scenery. Oljato trading post is an easy side trip to
take after visiting Monument Valley.
Red door, Oljato Utah
Old Hogan in front of the Oljato trading Post
We found our second trading post approximately 130-miles
south in the Ganado Arizona area off BIA15; named Sunrise Trading Post. Sunrise is located on the north side of BIA15
and very rundown.
Sunrise Trading Post Ganado UT fro BIA 15
Close up of the front wall
Green door leading into a front room
Where Oljato trading post is in fair condition with
standing walls, most windows intact and doors and roof sadly that can’t be said
for Sunrise with no windows, little doors left and no roof. Sunrise is truly abandoned and had graffiti and
left to natures elements. They both
offer a unique photographic experience.
What's left of a wall
Looking down and out from the windows through the roof
Please remember you are visitors and be respectful of the
area and leave things where you might find them. We’d also caution to not enter
buildings as the floors may be weak. Also you might want to think about proper
footgear as you are in the southwest where critters like to hide.
All images were captured with a pair of Sony A7rII and
either a 24-70GM (Sandys lens of choice) and a Mitakon Speedmaster 85mm (Dons
lens). All images were processed using a
combination of Capture One-9 and Topaz Labs filters.
Sandy & Don