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The historic Garden of the Gods Trading Post lies on the southwest corner of the Garden of the Gods Park. In the early 1920's Charles E. Strausenback built the Trading Post to resemble the homes of the Pueblo Indians. While still in his teens, Strausenback set up a tripod stand at the Garden's East Gateway Rock. Here, in front of Fatty Rice's beer hall, Strausenback sold gypsum figurines which he carved. This was the beginning of the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. In 1924, plans were underway to create an “Indian Pueblo curio museum.” Its purpose was to be a showplace so that eastern people, who did not have the opportunity to visit the rest of the great southwest, might have the opportunity to study the Indian Pueblo structures. Pueblo Indians were employed to perform native dances and to make baskets and pottery at the new shop. Navajo men and women were hired to weave blankets and create handmade jewelry. Indians continued to work at the Trading Post up through the mid 1950’s.
In 1979, the Trading Post came under new proprietorship. T.A.T. Enterprises, Inc. began extensive renovations. In the tradition of the original Trading Post, a southwest Indian art gallery was built to display contemporary Indian fine arts and crafts. The main structure was left much as it had been in earlier days. Paintings and photographs by Strausenback were hung throughout the building and can still be seen today. The wrought iron fixtures on the entry doors, as well as the handiwork around the fireplaces are of his design and creation. Since 1979, the Trading Post has expanded six times to become the largest trading post in Colorado, with an ever-increasing line of Native American arts and crafts. The art gallery features local artists, traditional and contemporary Native American jewelry, Navajo rugs, sand paintings and pueblo pottery. Colorado gifts and souvenirs can be found in the main store as well as Minnetonka moccasins and outdoor clothing. During the summer, the Balanced Rock Café features the ever popular buffalo burger served in a flowered garden behind the Trading Post. In 2000, the Peak View Conference center was built, serving numerous weddings, conferences, reunions and or any other group function.
The Trading Post, welcomes over 400,000 visitors annually, and has become one of the main attractions of Colorado Springs, at the south side of world famous Garden of the Gods Park.