The Gouldings

View from Gouldings Trading Post

John Wayne's Cabin

Harry and Mike Goulding came to Monument Valley after World War I.  This couple really intrigued me to think of what they did for the Indians in the area.  They were the only white people that lived here.  They came to live among the Indians living in tents for shelter.  In 1924 they established a trading post to provide a place where the Navajos could exchange their livestock and handmade goods for the other necessities of life.  The Gouldings were always renowned for their integrity, honesty and genuine concern for Indian welfare.  They were instrumental in establishing a hospital for the Indians as well as developing a fresh water source for all to use.  They will be best remembered for establishing the motion picture industry which provided income and assistance for the Navajos survival.  The pictures shown here are the original structures as the Gouldings lived here.  The lived above the trading post.  Mike lived there until she died in 1992.

Gouldings Trading Post cira 1924

Inside Trading Post

Movie set

Stagecoach used in 1938 Movie

Gouldings Tombstone