Bookmark this page or copy and paste URL to Email message Tobe Turpen Collection, 1939.NAU.PH.2000.72
Biographical NoteTobe Turpen began trading in 1908 at the age of 11, when he came west from Texas to work at a Shonto trading post owned by his brother-in-law, C.D. Richardson. Tobe's Sister, Mrs. Trula Richardson, brought young Tobe to learn the trading business. During that time, he learned the Navajo language and became experienced in trading. Tobe then joined the Navy and entered World War I. Upon his return, Tobe Turpen married Irene Harris and returned to Shonto were he worked in Richardson's Leupp and Blue Canyon trading posts.. He then was hired by a famous trader named McAdams, and moved to Gallup in the late 1920's. Tobe Turpen also worked in the curio department for Gross-Kelly where he traded jewelry, pottery and rugs with the Native Americans for supplies and goods. In 1939, Tobe Turpen occupied the J.L. Hubbell building located on North Third Street, and owned by Lorenzo and Roman Hubbell. In 1923, Tobe and Irene Turpen's son Tobe Jr. was born in Flagstaff, Arizona. Tobe Turpen Jr. enlisted in the Navy and did his service during World War II, and returned from service in 1946 to work with his father. In 1954, Tobe Turpen Jr. bought the store from his father, who then moved to Albuquerque to operate an Indian jewelry and a cattle ranching business. In 1966, due to the construction of the Highway Interstate 40, the Tobe Turpen's Trading Post was moved south of Gallup,. The store is still in the current location of South Second Street. Tobe Turpen Jr. continued the trading tradition and due to the popularity of Native American jewelry in the 1960's was very successful. After the explosion of sales in Native American jewelry, Jim Turpen, Tobe's cousin became the general manager in 1973 till he retired in 1994. Tobe Turpen Jr. moved to Albquerque to partially retire from trading, however the store is still operating today. Scope and Content NoteViews include: Tobe Turpen Trading Post in Gallup, N.M. (formerly J.L. Hubbell Trading Post) and interior and exterior images of trading post. Individuals photographed include Frannie Etsitty, Edison "Skippy" Etsitty, Navajo Customers, Tobe and Mollie Turpen, Tobe Turpen Sr. with baby in cradle, Sheepskins Grandson, and Sheepherders. OrganizationOrganized in 4 folders. I. Tobe Turpen and Trading Post, 1939. II. Tobe Turpen outside settings, 1939. III. Color picture of Trading Post, n.d. Unlabeled negatives, Toby Turpins trading RestrictionsRestrictionsNone. CopyrightIt is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright. Related Material
Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Department. Digital Exhibit-
"Traders: Voices from the Trading Post". Tobe Turpen Oral History
[NAU.OH.75.27].
Administrative InformationCredit LineTobe Turpen Collection, NAU.PH.2000.72, Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Dept. Container List
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