The 1927 and 1928 trips both began at Red Lake (Tonalea) Trading Post, which was established in the late 1880’s and acquired by the Babbitt brothers, the famous mercantile family of northern Arizona, in 1891. Trading posts were important social and economic centers for the Navajo, primarily because many Navajo operated on a barter economy until the middle of the 20th Century. It sits along U.S. 160 approximately 20 miles northwest of Tuba City, the original administrative center for the western Navajo Indian Reservation. Both the 1927 and 1928 trips acquired their pack animals and provisions at the Red Lake Trading Post.
“Red Lake Arizona. Starting point of the expedition, July 15, 1927” -- Photographed by J.J. Hanks
NAU.PH.2005.3.1.1.1 (item number: 47653)
“Red Lake Arizona. Starting point of the expedition, July 15, 1927” (2005) -- Photographed by R.H. Webb (U.S.G.S.)
Stake# 4811
19272005
The Red Lake Trading Post horse corral in 1928, -- Photographed by J.J. Hanks.
NAU.PH.2005.3.2.1.16 (item number: 44702)
The “horse corral” in September 2005, looking back toward Red Lake Trading Post.
Photographed by R.H. Webb.
Stake# 4812
19272005
“Back to civilization at Red Lake. Indians selling sheep.” --
J.J. Hanks, photographed at the
end of the 1927 trip.
NAU.PH.2005.3.1.37.105 (item number: 45701)
This September 2005 repeat photograph shows both erosion (gullying) of the hillslope and lowering
of the ground surface in the foreground since 1927. Photographed by R.H. Webb.
Stake# 4813
19272005
“Scenes at Red Lake,” J.J. Hanks at the end of the 1927 trip. -- Photographed by J.J. Hanks.
NAU.PH.2005.3.1.35.107 (item number: 45705)
Repeat photograph by R.H. Webb (U.S.G.S.), September 2005.
Stake# 4814
19272005
“Scenes at Red Lake,” J.J. Hanks at the end of the 1927 trip. -- Photographed by J.J. Hanks.
NAU.PH.2005.3.1.35.107 (item number: 45705)
Repeat photograph by R.H. Webb (U.S.G.S.), September 2005.
Stake# 4814
19272005
