Black and white photos from almost a century ago show a landscape empty of most signs of human habitation, with The Gap Trading Post occupying a prominent place in the desert scene. Variously tied to Tuba City and Cameron in Arizona, the nearest community of major size is Flagstaff, 85 miles distant along Highway 89.
As indicated by most of the information from archives and area libraries, The Gap Trading Post, located on the Navajo reservation, has served local populations for many years. Before the introduction of the automobile, this historic site was a center for trade and exchange of information, with trade goods including many of the items found or hunted in the surrounding red-rock hills.
In more recent times The Gap Trading Post has also served as a somewhat isolated filling station. One aging photo shows the now-retired Texaco star displayed high above the old stone building. But for those who want to experience this starkly beautiful part of the country, The Gap Trading Post can be a great stop along the trail, just the right place for a cool drink and a chance to stand still and view the scenery for a few minutes.
The old trading post's ability to serve the area population was severely threatened just a few years ago, when a major drought hit the area. While some years have been dry in the past, 2002 was a year of desperation for many of the native population. According to some reports, the surrounding hills received no rain at all for an extended period, causing livestock deaths and the almost unheard of disappearance of rattlesnakes from their usual rocky homes. During this time the historic trading post's lone water pumping site was often the scene of disagreements and arguments stimulated by the critical conditions. Through it all, The Gap Trading Post remained an anchoring place for the population.
