I took these pictures March 2002. I really enjoyed my digital camera, it was revolutionary, before all the pictures I took had to be sent away, developed, returned and picked up. A process that took two weeks especially here in Kayenta. So it was fun and quick for me to take pictures and view my shots. So I went out and took these pictures of Baby Rocks Trading Post. I just had a feeling they were going to tear down this building anytime. Sure enough they tore the building down with the last two years. It's so sad to see this go.
When I was a little kid, I remember going to this Trading Post with my mother, and of course the first place I went to were the toys. Many times I didn't get anything, but it sure was nice to browse and wish I could have those toys.
As far as what else was in this store, my mind deceives and fails to recall what else they sold in this place. I could be wrong but It was like a typical trading post selling blankets, rugs, jewelry, some grocery, and clothes. Like I said I only wanted to go to this store because of the toys. Hahaha! As you can see this was a nice looking store, gorgeous structure, and handsome design. It sure would have been nice to see this building still operational and functioning as a store.
I think it was 2010 or 2011, when I witnessed the Navajo Nation tearing down this building and loading everything into steel containers as I drove past. Really sad to see it gone. There was also a two story about 30 yards east of this building and another 100 yards there was an Old building of a gas station and car garage. All three buildings have been torn down. Sad to see changes like this.
Additional Notes:
Coordinates are 36* 46' 31.44"N by 110*00' 50.59" W
Coordinates of the house are 36* 46' 31.80" N by 110* 00' 47.47" W
Coordinates of the gas station/ garage are 36* 46' 34.89" N by 110* 00' 40.17" W
Check out this link to Flickr (Picture of the baby rock trading post): http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmdspk/2514391758/
Here is a picture of the Baby Rocks Gas Station:
I'm so glad to see this documentation of the Baby Rocks Trading Post. My now-deceased mom and I made a trip from Durango to Sedona in August 2001, and we stopped there on our way back and took a few photos, some of which she was in, standing inside and next to it. She used this structure as inspiration in building her own octagonal dream home in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri in 2004-5, where I now reside. Unfortunately, the disposable camera we used was ruined when she lost her footing while crossing the stream at the base of Cathedral Rock in Sedona a few days earlier, but we hoped the film would survive. About three photos did, but none of the trading post did. I kept thinking I should stop by and take more when I was living in Mancos and Durango again in 2007-2010, but I never did. Then I heard it was destroyed and I was heartbroken. It was such a cool, unique structure, and all I have is my memories of it when my mom and I stopped by that day. Thank you for this blog post.
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