Explore more ruins in the Four Corners and a historic trading post.
For my last update I explored the ruins of Chaco Canyon. The Chacoans mysteriously disappeared after a drought started. Some may have joined communities further east or west. They also went north to Aztec Ruins National Monument.
Aztec Ruins is a misnomer. Early settlers named it after the Aztecs of Mexico, whom they thought had built the ruins. The ruins were actually built as Chaco Great House. Construction began in the 11th century when Chaco Canyon was still thriving. Aztec Ruins was inhabited until the 13th century, long after the Chacoans abandoned Chaco Canyon.
The ruins of the Great House.
Aztec Ruins had a Great House just like Chetro Ketl at Chaco Canyon did. However, someone decided to reconstruct it. It’s not entirely accurate but it gives you a decent glimpse of what they would have looked like.
Inside of the reconstructed Great House. There would have been a ladder from the ceiling rather than stairs to reach the bottom.
A non-reconstructed kiva near the main building.
I just thought that it was so cool that all the doorways lined up.
Some of the rooms in the back of the Great House still survived in original form, even with the wooden floorboards on the second floor. I’m so glad I was short because those doorways were small.
Overview of one side of the ruins. The pueblo had rooms on three sides, with a wall to close off the plaza.
Aztec Ruins was my last Chaco themed stop on my trip, now back to Arizona to see Canyon de Chelly.
Canyon de Chelly is one of the more unique National Monuments in the United States. It’s one of the longest continuously inhabited places in North America and preserves the ruins of the Ancestral Puebloans. What makes it truly unique is that the canyon floor is still used by the local Navajos for farming. Visitors stay at the top of the canyon, save for one trail or with a Navajo guide.
Canyon de Chelly is beautiful on its own, even without the ruins.
Most of the ruins are hidden in alcoves in the cliffs. Can you see the ruin near the center?
A closer look at the ruins from the last photo. It felt like I was on a scavenger hunt to find the ruins along the canyon.
Another look at the canyon.
Some of the ruins were located on the bottom of the canyon instead of up in the alcoves. They were still hard to spot.
White House Ruin in the only ruin you can get close to without a Navajo guide. I didn’t make the trek down there. It was just too hot outside.
Spider Rock plays an important part in Navajo folklore.
The final stop on my exploration of the Four Corners was Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. John Hubbell bought this trading post in 1878. Hubbell traded Western goods to the local Navajos for traditional crafts, which he then sold on to Americans. Navajos traded rugs, jewelry, baskets and pottery for things that they needed, such as canned goods, cotton cloth and tools. The trading post is still active, selling food stuffs, souvenirs and traditional crafts.
The trading post store. I love those doors.
Still up and running. I love all the goods hanging from the ceilings. Much of the merchandise is still being the counter and you have to ask for them.
Even better, they still have this old-fashioned scale.
Rugs, books and art for sale in the back room.
John Lorenzo Hubbell, a native of New Mexico, lived at the trading post with his wife and two children. The Hubbells lived here until 1967 when it was given to the National Park Service, along with all the art and furniture in the home.
The house started as a simple adobe structure that was later expanded to house more people.
The home turned into a museum. The walls are covered with original art and native pieces can be found throughout the home.
Baskets cover the ceiling in the living room.
John Hubbell had an entire fancy dining room set made for his wife. It’s all hand carved with three sideboards, a table and eight chairs. That’s some gift.
The Four Corners of the Southwest are full of ruins. It’s amazing how much you can see in just a few short days. If you are pressed for time, a visit to Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon would suffice. There is much more to the Southwest than a giant canyon and a bunch of cacti. The entire area is full of ruins and other gorgeous places that area must see.
Check out my next update where I visit Glen Canyon and the famous Horseshoe Bend!
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Check out all my other posts on the great state of Arizona!
