"Well known trading post, in Navajo Indian Reservation on Chinlee Creek. "'Chinle,' Navajo name for a place where water emerges from a canyon's mouth." Gregory. Post Office established January 15, 1903, Charles L. Day Post Master.

Barnes, Will C.; Granger, Byrd (ed.) Arizona Place Names University of Arizona Press. 1997. p. 91

"The Navajo name derives from the fact that this location is at the mouth of Canyon de Chelly. It is also near Chinle Wash (aka Rio de Chelly and Nazline Wash). Spanish war and trade extended to this location from New Mexico in the early 19th century. Troubles with Navajo Indians who robbed New Mexicans of sheep and other possessions culminated in a peace conference between Navajo Indians and Col. Kit Carson on the knoll near the present monument headquarters in 1864. It marked the official end of Navajo warfare with the whites. The first trading post at Chinle was begun in a tent in 1882, followed by a small trading camp under new proprietors, constructed in 1885. Missionaries arrived in 1904 and a small government school was opened in 1910. It is today an extensive establishment. P.O. Est Chin Le March 2, 1903, Charles L. Day PM. name changed to Chinle, March 13, 1941.

Barnes, Will C.; Granger, Byrd (ed.) Arizona's names : X marks the place Falconer Pub. Co. : distributed by Treasure Chest Publications, c1983. P. 145
 

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Websites

Arizona Department of Commerce Community Profiles: Chinle, Navajo Nation
http://www.commerce.state.az.us/pdf/commasst/comm/chinle.pdf

History of Chinle, Navajo Nation
http://www.lapahie.com/Chinle.cfm

Arizonan.com: Chinle, Arizona
http://www.arizonan.com/Chinle/
 

Newspapers

The Navajo Times

http://www.thenavajotimes.com/
 

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Sites to See

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Hubbell's Trading Post
 

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Books/Manuscripts

Diné bizaad. (Local Newspaper)
E99.N3 D515x
 

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Items found in the Arizona and Southwest Index

Chinle, Arizona:  Informational Brochures
CE EPH DTO-Chinle.1

Chinle School Newspapers
CE EPH IG-4.41

Phoenix Indian School, Blackwater, Sacaton and Chinle, 1973
LAB AUDIO AT-49

Trading Posts
FE EPH HA-IV.9

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Last Updated: July 15, 2002
If you would like to know more about the author of this site, Jeffrey Scott, feel free to visit his homepage.
In addition, if you have any questions about this site or Arizona History, feel free to e-mail Jeffrey