Santa Fe's Original Trading Post / Native American Art

Original Trading Post historic building

Trading posts were as important in the old west as were the settlers who migrated there from the east. In fact, history books will point out that the trading posts were in operation prior to the settlers arrival. First of all the trading posts were quite important to the Native Americans who inhabited the southwest before the white migration took place. The trader often was considered a friend of the Indian and at times interceded on their behalf with the U.S. Government. What was of utmost importance was that the trader had credibility with the Native Americans. One of the more historically famous old frontier trading posts was the Hubbell Trading Post on the Navajo reservation in northeastern Arizona. That trading post is also fully operational today and open for business.


When visiting Santa Fe, if you walk a block west of the Santa Fe plaza down San Francisco Street, you will come to what claims to be the original Santa Fe Trading Post. The address is 201 W. San Francisco St. and the pre 1840 trading post building is now protected by Santa Fe's "Preservation Easement Program". Essentially, the program stipulates that the property cannot be demolished, subdivided or obstructed. There of course are several building in and around Santa Fe that are protected structures.


As the trading post business went, Santa Fe was an ideal location to do business. The town of course was a major commerce destination because of the famous Santa Fe Trail. Native American art was a popular attraction. The pueblo Indians produced excellent jewelry and pottery which attracted business from locals and tourists alike. Eventually Santa Fe would grow at the end of the Mexican American War and with the building of the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.The railroad in many ways helped the local Native American artists to benefit from their unique craft. The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad not only brought the tourists to town but they also helped the pueblo Indians purchase the tools necessary to better perfect their craft. The La Fonda Hotel which at one time was operated by Fred Harvey in conjunction with the railroad was a major venue for Native American art. These Indian artists displayed and sold their authentic Indian art pieces inside the hotel lobby. Quite a unique sight for first time visitors to the Southwest.

La Fonda Hotel

Turquoise jewelry and Native American jewelry are very popular. These types of jewelry are perfect for enhancing both your formal and casual attire. In Santa Fe you'll have no difficulty finding beautiful hand crafted jewelry produced by skilled Pueblo Indian jewelry artists. 

As most people know who have visited Santa Fe, the Native American artists who sell their art products daily in front of the Palace of the Governors bordering the north side of Santa Fe plaza, display a very large and interesting collection of jewelry, pottery and all types of creative Indian art items. Turquoise, kachinas, pottery, earrings..all are authentic and plentiful. The Native American vendors program at the Palace of the Governors makes sure you get legitimate art rather than fake knock-offs. The Indian  artists licensed to sell there come from pueblos near and far, bringing their uniqueness. In addition, when browsing you also have the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.

While you're marveling over the highly creative art items offered by the Palace of the Governors Indian artists you may also want to go inside and peruse the Palace itself. It's one of Santa Fe's most historic buildings. The Palace of the Governors is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied building in the United States, having house the Spanish government of Nuevo Mexico. It's also been a National Historic Landmark since 1960. The Palace of the Governors chronicles the history of Santa Fe, and the entire New Mexico region. I would also recommend a visit to the New Mexico History Museum which is located in the new building adjoining the north side of the Palace of the Governors. The displays change and this relatively new structure is probably one of the very best history museums in the state.The museum houses native Americans art as well as photos, documentation and unique displays about Santa Fe's development.