LOCAL

PHOTOS: Past meets present at Four Corners trading posts

Farmington Daily Times
Owner John McCulloch stands in his office at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post in Arizona, one of the few traditional trading posts still operating in the area.
Owner John McCulloch stands in his office at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post in Arizona, one of the few traditional trading posts still operating in the area.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Farmington Museum director Bart Wilsey says there were literally hundreds of trading posts in the Four Corners at one time, but he fears they soon will only exist in museums.
Farmington Museum director Bart Wilsey says there were literally hundreds of trading posts in the Four Corners at one time, but he fears they soon will only exist in museums.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Kent Morrow of the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington says his business now follows a contemporary model of concentrating almost exclusively on Native arts and crafts.
Owner Kent Morrow of the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington says his business now follows a contemporary model of concentrating almost exclusively on Native arts and crafts.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Tom Wheeler of the Hogback Trading Co. says many of the families who operated trading posts in the Four Corners came here in the 1870s on wagon trains from the Great Salt Lake basin led by his great-grandfather.
Tom Wheeler of the Hogback Trading Co. says many of the families who operated trading posts in the Four Corners came here in the 1870s on wagon trains from the Great Salt Lake basin led by his great-grandfather.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
The Teec Nos Pos Trading Post was founded in 1905 and is one of the few in the area that continues to operate as a traditional trading post.
The Teec Nos Pos Trading Post was founded in 1905 and is one of the few in the area that continues to operate as a traditional trading post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Kent Morrow, owner of the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington, discusses the details of some of the Navajo rugs in his store.
Kent Morrow, owner of the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington, discusses the details of some of the Navajo rugs in his store.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Farmington Museum director Bart Wilsey stands at the counter of a replica trading post that is a popular exhibit at his museum.
Farmington Museum director Bart Wilsey stands at the counter of a replica trading post that is a popular exhibit at his museum.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Chuck Hatch of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland operates one of the few traditional trading posts left in the Four Corners.
Chuck Hatch of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland operates one of the few traditional trading posts left in the Four Corners.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
John McCulloch of the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post looks over the selection of books with English and Navajo text that he keeps in his store.
John McCulloch of the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post looks over the selection of books with English and Navajo text that he keeps in his store.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Tom Wheeler, left, shows some customers around his Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Owner Tom Wheeler, left, shows some customers around his Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Kent Morrow says moving the Shiprock Trading Post from its longtime home in Shiprock to Farmington a dozen years ago was a difficult but necessary decision.
Owner Kent Morrow says moving the Shiprock Trading Post from its longtime home in Shiprock to Farmington a dozen years ago was a difficult but necessary decision.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A woven sign greets visitors to the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
A woven sign greets visitors to the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A large display case at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post features various cuts of mutton, pork and other meats.
A large display case at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post features various cuts of mutton, pork and other meats.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Kent Morrow displays various colors of wool he keeps in stock at his Shiprock Trading Company for weavers.
Owner Kent Morrow displays various colors of wool he keeps in stock at his Shiprock Trading Company for weavers.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A vintage turquoise bracelet is displayed at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
A vintage turquoise bracelet is displayed at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A display for Blue Bird Flour is set up at the end of the one of the aisles at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post. The flour can be found in most Four Corners trading posts that carry groceries and is said to be well suited for frybread.
A display for Blue Bird Flour is set up at the end of the one of the aisles at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post. The flour can be found in most Four Corners trading posts that carry groceries and is said to be well suited for frybread.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
An unfinished Navajo rug is displayed in a loom at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
An unfinished Navajo rug is displayed in a loom at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Canned chili, pinto beans, vegetables, soup, Spam and Vienna sausages are among the staples at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Canned chili, pinto beans, vegetables, soup, Spam and Vienna sausages are among the staples at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A stuffed sheep greets visitors to the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A stuffed sheep greets visitors to the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Located at the end of a gravel county road in Fruitland, the Hatch Brothers Trading Post isn't easy to find.
Located at the end of a gravel county road in Fruitland, the Hatch Brothers Trading Post isn't easy to find.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
The Teec Nos Pos Trading Post has history on its side, but owner John McCulloch says the gasoline pumps are what usually lure customers.
The Teec Nos Pos Trading Post has history on its side, but owner John McCulloch says the gasoline pumps are what usually lure customers.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A woven sign greets visitors to the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A woven sign greets visitors to the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
The Hogback Trading Co. is pictured in this undated photo.
The Hogback Trading Co. is pictured in this undated photo.
Farmington Museum Collection, 1985.460.1
The Hogback Trading Co. is featured in this photograph, circa 1890.
The Hogback Trading Co. is featured in this photograph, circa 1890.
Photo By John Hippenmeyer/Farmington Museum Collection, 1987.12.19
This 1892 photograph features a group of people gathered in front of the Hogback Trading Co.
This 1892 photograph features a group of people gathered in front of the Hogback Trading Co.
Photo By John Hippenmeyer/Farmington Museum Collection, 1987.12.20
A man and a child ride in a horse-drawn buggy in this photo in front of the Hogback Trading Co., circa 1900.
A man and a child ride in a horse-drawn buggy in this photo in front of the Hogback Trading Co., circa 1900.
Farmington Museum Collection, 1987.12.21
A trading post owned by Will Evans in Shiprock is featured in this 1937 photograph.
A trading post owned by Will Evans in Shiprock is featured in this 1937 photograph.
Donated By The Farmington Museum Foundation/Farmington Museum Collection, 1989.17.22
The Hogback Trading Co. is featured in this 1943 photograph.
The Hogback Trading Co. is featured in this 1943 photograph.
Farmington Museum Collection, 1989.17.26
The Red Rock Trading Post is featured in this 1932 photograph.
The Red Rock Trading Post is featured in this 1932 photograph.
Photo By Laura Gilpin/Farmington Museum Collection, 1989.17.55
The interior of the Oljato Store in Monument Valley is featured in this 1945 photograph.
The interior of the Oljato Store in Monument Valley is featured in this 1945 photograph.
Photo By Milton Snow/Farmington Museum Collection, 1991.10.18
The Nazlini Trading Post is featured in this 1945 photograph.
The Nazlini Trading Post is featured in this 1945 photograph.
Photo By Milton Snow/Farmington Museum Collection, 1991.10.19
The Shiprock trading post of Will Evans is featured in this undated photography.
The Shiprock trading post of Will Evans is featured in this undated photography.
Photo By Grace Herring/Farmington Museum Collection, 1996.3.3
A Navajo cradleboard is displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A Navajo cradleboard is displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A vintage concho belt is displayed at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
A vintage concho belt is displayed at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
The abandoned home of the Fruitland Trading Co. is pictured in Fruitland just north of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post.
The abandoned home of the Fruitland Trading Co. is pictured in Fruitland just north of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A mural of a Navajo rug is displayed on a wall at the abandoned home of the Fruitland Trading Co. just north of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post.
A mural of a Navajo rug is displayed on a wall at the abandoned home of the Fruitland Trading Co. just north of the Hatch Brothers Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
An old-fashioned penny gumball machine sits on the counter at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
An old-fashioned penny gumball machine sits on the counter at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A weaving hangs from a shelf at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
A weaving hangs from a shelf at the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A wooden sign hangs above the screen door at the entrance to the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
A wooden sign hangs above the screen door at the entrance to the Hatch Brothers Trading Post in Fruitland.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A weaving hangs on the wall of the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A weaving hangs on the wall of the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A weaving honoring owner Tom Wheeler hangs on the wall of the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A weaving honoring owner Tom Wheeler hangs on the wall of the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A loom featuring an unfinished Navajo rug is displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
A loom featuring an unfinished Navajo rug is displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Pendleton blankets are displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Pendleton blankets are displayed at the Hogback Trading Co. in Waterflow.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Kent Morrow examines a Navajo rug at the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington.
Owner Kent Morrow examines a Navajo rug at the Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner Kent Morrow talks about the many shades of dyed wool offered for sale at his Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington.
Owner Kent Morrow talks about the many shades of dyed wool offered for sale at his Shiprock Trading Post in Farmington.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A butcher cuts frozen mutton chops behind the meat counter at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
A butcher cuts frozen mutton chops behind the meat counter at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner John McCulloch looks over a selection of woven placemats at his Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Owner John McCulloch looks over a selection of woven placemats at his Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
Owner John McCulloch looks over the sacks of wool in his warehouse behind the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Owner John McCulloch looks over the sacks of wool in his warehouse behind the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A propane tank towers above a hay barn at the Teec Nos Post Trading Post.
A propane tank towers above a hay barn at the Teec Nos Post Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A mural is featured on the patio at the Teec Nos Post Trading Post.
A mural is featured on the patio at the Teec Nos Post Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A mural adorns the door of the women's restroom at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
A mural adorns the door of the women's restroom at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A mural adorns the door of the men's restroom at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
A mural adorns the door of the men's restroom at the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times
A wooden sign greets visitors to the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
A wooden sign greets visitors to the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.
Mike Easterling/The Daily Times