Don Lorenzo Hubbell

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Don Lorenzo Hubbell (November 27, 1853 - November 12, 1930) was a 19th century trader instrumental in promoting the sale of Navajo art. He was also sheriff of Apache County, Arizona, a member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature, and after statehood a member of the Arizona Senate. He ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1914.

He was born John Lorenzo Hubbell, but gradually came to be addressed as "Don", a Spanish term of respect. (NPS)

He spent his early years as a Spanish interpreter for the U.S. Army.

He started a trading post in 1878 that became very successful financially. He eventually created an empire of 30 such trading posts in Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

He helped many Navajos become economically self-sufficient by showing them the patterns of blankets most likely to sell for a profit. He was well-respected in the Navajo community for his fair dealings with them.

His 1878 trading post still stands on the Navajo reservation, and is a National Historic Site.

He is said to be the only caucasian buried on Navajo land.