Troy and Edith Kennedy Collection, 1946-1994

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Troy and Edith Kennedy Collection, 1946-1994

NAU.PH.98.71


Overview of the Collection

Creator: Kennedy, Troy and Edith.
Title: Troy and Edith Kennedy Collection,
Inclusive Dates: 1945-1994
Quantity: 19 black-and-white and 24 color photographs, 23 copy negatives.
Abstract:The collection shows the Red Rock Trading Post when it was owned by Troy and Edith Kennedy.
Identification: NAU.PH.98.71
Language: Material in English
Repository: Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Department
Northern Arizona University
Box 6022
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6022
Phone: 928 523-5551
Fax: 928 523-3770
Email: special.collections@nau.edu

Biographical Note

Troy Kennedy was born in Kirtland, New Mexico in 1919. His parents were Viola and William Leroy Kennedy, his father by the nickname "Roy." Roy Kennedy had homesteaded in Kirtland, New Mexico in 1887. He began trading with Indians, often traveling around the state to travel with them. He started his first trading post in Kirtland, which was called the Kennedy Trading Post. Later in Life, he owned other posts as well, including one with his son Earl, the Lukachukai Trading Post, in Lukachukai, Arizona. He was well-liked by Indians and was called Letsoh, meaning "Two Thumbs", because he had an extra thumb on one hand and could pinch with it. Troy Kennedy was called Letsoh Briye, "Son of Two Thumbs". Roy Kennedy traded with the Indians until his death in 1944.

There were seven children in the Kennedy family, five of whom became traders, including one daughter. Lucille Kennedy who married Elmer McGee, ran the Leupp Trading Post, in Leupp, Arizona. Walter ran a trading post in Dinnehotso, Arizona. Earl and Roy Kennedy operated the Lukachukai Trading Post until Roy's death, then Earl continued alone. The youngest brother Harold rand the Tohatchi Post in Tosito, Arizona.

Edith Nichols was born on June 23, 1919, in Cheyanne, Oklahoma. Troy Kennedy met her in 1939 in Farmington, New Mexico, where she was working as a stenographer. Soon after they started dating World War II erupted and Troy was one the first to be drafted. Troy went into the Air Force and after completing boot camp he was stationed in Kingsville, Texas. Troy and Edith were married there in 1942. After the war was over, the couple returned to Farmington, New Mexico where Troy and Edith's twin boys were born in 1947.

Troy Kennedy had worked for his father Roy Kennedy at the Lukachukai Trading Post before World War II. When Troy and Edith returned from Texas they worked at the Fruitland Trading Post owned by Jack Cline. They also worked at a smaller store of Jack Clines', the Southside Trading Post, which traded mainly hay and pinons. In 1948 a friend of theirs, Jewel McGee, needed workers at his Red Rock Trading Post in Red Rock, Arizona so the Kennedys bought a one-third working interest and moved to Red Rock. Later on, the Kennedys bought one-half working interest in the trading post, and in 1966 they bought the remainder.

At the Red Rock Trading post, the main items to trade and be traded were sheep, Coleman lights and fuel, wool and mohair, rugs, cattle, oil paintins (1970s), and jewelry. Troy and Edith were memberts of the United Indian Traders Association until the government took away the right to pawn jewelry from the traders.

Donald, one of the twins, worked at the trading post with his father and took over the operations of the trading post when Troy became ill with restrictive lung disease in 1985. Troy passed away on January 22, 1989. Th Red Rock Trading Post was sold in 1992 and Edith Kennedy moved back to Farmington, New Mexico.

Scope and Content

The collection shows the Red Rock Trading Post when it was owned by Troy and Edith Kennedy, as well as the Lukachukai Trading Post that was owned by his father, Roy, and his brother, Earl. Also shown are customers in the Red Rock Trading Post, the weavers who wove rugs for them, and some examples of those rugs. Images of the Kennedy family and relatives are also included.

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It 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.

Controlled Access Terms

Personal Name(s)

Family Name(s)

Corporate Name(s)

Geographic Name(s)

Subject(s)

Genre Form(s)

Title(s)

Administrative Information

Alternative Form Available

Digital versions of parts of this collection are available online herehere.

Preferred Citation

Troy and Edith Kennedy Collection, NAU.PH.98.71. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Edith Nichols Kennedy, widow of Troy Kennedy.

Container List

NAU.PH.98.71: Photographs, 1946-1994
Digital versions of parts of this collection are available online herehere.
NAU.PH.98.71.1: Kennedy, Edith, 1946. Lukachukai Trading Post., Lukachukai (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x7.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.2: Photographer unknown, 1945. Lukachukai Mountain Road Christmas 1945. [Truck, men shoveling snow on road.], Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x7.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.3: Kennedy, Edith, ca.1947. [Truck loaded with sacks of wool.], Lukachukai (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.4x7.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.4: Kennedy, Edith, ca. 1969. [Hogan near Red Rock, Arizona.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 9x9.
NAU.PH.98.71.5: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Aerial view of buildings and corral at Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 13x9.
NAU.PH.98.71.6: Photographer unknown, ca.1965. [Two women on couch looking at horns.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.7: Photographer unknown, ca.1965. [Eight women observing a candle-making demonstration at Red Rock Trading Post, interior.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.8: Photographer unknown, ca.1965. [Interior of Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.9: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. Ason Tsosie (95 yrs) and her daughter, Nanobah Tsosie., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.10: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., 1994. Despah [Nez, weaving on a Sand Painting rug on a upright loom] 1994., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 18x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.11: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., 1994. Despah [Nez, holding yarn in front of loom.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 18x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.12: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.13: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.14: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.15: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.16: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.17: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.18: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Pictorial Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.19: Cockrill, Dr. Howard Jr., ca.1970. [Navajo rug, Storm pattern in Two Grey Hills colors.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.20: Photographer unknown, ca.1970. [Navajo rug being held by girl and boy, Storm pattern.], location unknown. Color Photograph, 19.5x24.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.21: Kennedy, Edith, 1946. Earl Kennedy, Troy's brother at Luachukai., Lukachukai (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.22: Kennedy, Edith, 1949. Ron and Don [Kennedy] at the Red Rock Trading Post Corral., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.23: Kennedy, Edith, 1949. Don Kennedy with white rabbit, backyard at Red Rock, old barn in background, Nov. 27, 1949., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x7.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.24: Kennedy, Edith, ca. 1949. Don [Kennedy], Ron [Kennedy] and Lucy Benally at Red Rock Trading Post., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x7.
NAU.PH.98.71.25: Kennedy, Edith, 1949. Ron [Kennedy] and Lucy Benally, Red Rock Trading Post in front of log house used for overnite customers, Spring of 1949., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.
NAU.PH.98.71.26: Kennedy, Edith, 1949. Ron Kennedy with lamb, corral at Red Rock Trading Post., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x7.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.27: Kennedy, Edith, 1949. Albert, Geraldine, and Eddie [Nichols] at Red Rock Trading Post., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 6.5x11.
NAU.PH.98.71.28: Photographer unknown, 1950. Earl Kennedy [brother of Troy Kennedy] Lukachukai Mountains., Lukachukai (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.29: Photographer unknown, ca. 1950. Red Rock, the Thumb Rock in background [Ron and Don Kennedy.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x7.2.
NAU.PH.98.71.30: Kennedy, Edith, 1950. Ron and Don [Kennedy], backyard at Red Rock Trading Post., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.31: Kennedy, Edith, ca. 1950. Christian Reform Church at Red Rock [Don Kennedy.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.32: Kennedy, Edith, 1951. Ron and Don Kennedy in front of Red Rock Trading Post [gas pump.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x7.
NAU.PH.98.71.33: Kennedy, Edith, 1951. Don (on left) and Ron [Kennedy] in front of Red Rock Trading Post [with Rusty the dog.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.34: Kennedy, Edith, ca. 1952. Don [left] and Ron [Kennedy] and Rusty [the dog in front of the Red Rock Trading Post barn.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x6.5.
NAU.PH.98.71.35: Kennedy, Edith, 1952. [Don and Ron Kennedy] with Lydia Nichols, niece of Edith, Red Rock behind the store., Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Black-and-White Photograph, 11.5x7.
NAU.PH.98.71.36: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Troy and Edith Kennedy in front of Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.37: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Troy and Edith Kennedy in front of Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.3x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.38: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Troy Kennedy and small girl.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.5x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.39: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Troy Kennedy outside Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.3x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.40: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Troy Kennedy.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.3x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.41: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Don Kennedy in front of the Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 19.3x13.
NAU.PH.98.71.42: Photographer unknown, ca. 1970. [Don Kennedy, Troy Kennedy and pilot in front of helicopter, on south end of Red Rock Trading Post.], Red Valley (Ariz.) // Navajo Indian Reservation. Color Photograph, 13x19.3.