Goulding's Trading Post, now called Goulding's Lodge, is a historic general store, motel, and museum in southern Utah, United States, just outside of Monument Valley. It was constructed in 1928, seven years after Harry Goulding purchased 640 acres (260 ha) of land in the area. Shortly after Monument Valley became a popular tourist attraction, it was renamed and remodeled to house Goulding's Lodge.[2] The lodge originally served as a trading post and home for the Gouldings.

Goulding's Trading Post
Lodge associated with trading post
Goulding's Lodge is located in Utah
Goulding's Lodge
Goulding's Lodge is located in the United States
Goulding's Lodge
LocationU.S. Route 163, Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah
Coordinates37°0′24″N 110°12′9″W / 37.00667°N 110.20250°W / 37.00667; -110.20250
Arealess than 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1923
NRHP reference No.80003941[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 20, 1980

During the Great Depression, while director John Ford was looking for a site to film his 1939 movie Stagecoach, Goulding went to work capturing photos of Monument Valley to send to Ford, who ended up shooting not only Stagecoach there but several other successful Western films. The films helped to popularize the area, and Goulding, realizing the potential value of tourism, established lodging and other services that could bring additional attention and profit.

The former trading post serves as a motel/museum for tourists and travelers looking to catch a glimpse of the famous valley and has been converted into the Goulding Lodge. Its history, isolation, and proximity to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park have made it a popular roadside attraction for travelers. The trading post was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 20, 1980.

In November 2023, the Navajo Nation purchased Goulding's Lodge for $59.5 million.[3][4] The purchase is expected to generate $7.4 million in annual revenue for the Navajo Nation, $2.4 million of which would be due to changing the taxing authority from the state of Utah to the Navajo Nation.[5]

Monuments

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Navajo Nation takes ownership of Goulding's Lodge in Utah". Navajo-Hopi Observer. June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "Navajo Nation to acquire Goulding's Lodge". November 7, 2023.
  4. ^ https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/Portals/0/Press%20Releases/2023/Oct/25th%20Navajo%20Nation%20Council%20approves%20purchase%20of%20Goulding%E2%80%99s%20Lodge%20using%20Land%20Acquisition%20Trust%20Fund.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ "Navajo Nation moves to purchase Gouldings". October 24, 2023.
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