Richardson Trading Company
and
Mr. Bill Richardson
Gallup, New Mexico
Lorie, Mr. Bill Richardson, owner of Richardson Trading Company, Carol, and Christine
Route 66 still serves as Gallup's main street and many shops line the avenue, each storefront a showcase of silver and turquoise jewelry handmade by Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other Native American craftspeople. Richardson Trading Company, which opened in 1939, is the oldest Native American trading post in town. Like Route 66, the 98-year-old proprietor, Bill Richardson, is a Gallup legend. He recalls, "In the old days you bought wool, hides, cattle, and sheep and traded for dry goods, sugar, and coffee. Now the rugs, pottery, and jewelry we buy may come from the old families who traded with us on the Reservation."
Richardson's store could be easily mistaken for a museum, but everything is for sale, from dead pawn to merchandise from all the Southwestern tribes.
From the moment we walked through the door of Richardson Trading Company we were in for a sensory treat. There were endless displays of silver and turquoise jewelry, rugs and weavings, painted kachina dolls, feathered headdresses, burnished pots and relics from a pioneer past. The rug room housed an impressive collection of antique Native American baskets. As we made our way down the aisles, we heard the creak of oak floors beneath our feet and and the scent of sheepskin and old saddles permeated the air. Frequently we heard the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad rumbling by on tracks parallel to Route 66 as we happily took our time looking in the expansive cases of collections of Native American jewelry, and purchasing some of these treasures.
We were happy to have had the opportunity to meet and chat with Mr. Richardson, who clearly enjoys mingling with his customers. Some people describe him accurately as an "old-school, shake hands on the deal gentleman." Sales person Wanda Rose educated us about the rich history of the establishment.
