The bridge between two ways of life

What looks like just another tourist stop along the route to the Grand Canyon was once the beating heart of desert commerce. Most travelers see the Cameron Trading Post in Arizona’s high desert as a convenient place to grab Native American jewelry and stretch their legs. But this weathered stone building holds a remarkable story that’s been unfolding for over a century—one that began with a daring feat of engineering.

The Cameron Trading Post might never have existed without the suspension bridge that still spans the Little Colorado River beside it. Built in 1911, this 660-foot bridge was the longest west of the Mississippi at the time, constructed to bypass the treacherous Tanners Crossing where flash floods regularly nearly swallowed wagons and livestock. Five years later, brothers Hubert and C.D. Richardson saw an opportunity and built a simple trading post on the newly accessible south bank.

What started as a tin-roof shack quickly became a lifeline for Navajo and Hopi families who would travel for days across the harsh desert, bringing turquoise jewelry, handwoven wool rugs, and livestock. At times, 1,700 sheep would wait at the post for shipment. The Richardsons became more than traders—they learned local dialects and helped Native Americans navigate an increasingly complex world while treating overnight guests like family. The post became a cultural crossroads where languages mixed, stories traveled, and understanding grew between communities.

Today, the tradition continues in familiar ways. Most staff is still Navajo and Hopi, and Native weavers still come to trade their work. When you browse authentic jewelry or taste the legendary Navajo Taco—which has earned such a cult following that people drive hundreds of miles for it—you’re helping sustain the same communities that have called this place home for over a century.