Maisel's Indian Trading Post facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Maisel's Indian Trading Post
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![]() Maisel's Indian Trading Post in Albuquerque
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Location | 510 Central Ave., SW Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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Built | 1939 |
Architect | John Gaw Meem |
Architectural style | Pueblo Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 93001215 |
Added to NRHP | November 22, 1993 |
Maisel's Indian Trading Post was a famous store in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a special place where people could find beautiful Native American crafts. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it was recognized as an important part of history. Maisel's closed its doors for good in April 2020.
Contents
A Special Store for Travelers
Maisel's Indian Trading Post opened in 1939. Maurice and Cyma Maisel started the store. They wanted to sell items to tourists traveling along U.S. Route 66. This was a very popular road for travelers across America.
Building Design and Art
The building itself was very special. It was designed by a famous architect named John Gaw Meem. He used the Pueblo Revival style. This style looks like the traditional homes of the Pueblo people in New Mexico.
Inside, the building had amazing murals. Murals are large paintings on walls. These murals showed scenes of Native American life. Ten different Pueblo and Navajo artists painted them. Some of these artists included Narcisco Abeyta, Harrison Begay, and Awa Tsireh.
Supporting Native American Artists
Maisel's Indian Trading Post was important for many Native American artists. In its busiest times, the store employed hundreds of local craftspeople. They created beautiful jewelry, pottery, and other crafts. This helped support many families in the community.
The Store's History
The trading post first closed after its founder, Maurice Maisel, passed away. But it didn't stay closed forever! In the 1980s, Maurice's grandson, Skip, reopened the business. It was then known as Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry and Crafts. The store continued to sell unique Native American items. Skip Maisel retired in the summer of 2019, and the business closed its doors for good.