Grand Opening of the Tuba City Quality Inn

A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, January 5 in Tuba City. The program begins at 10 a.m. and a luncheon will follow. The grand opening is to be attended by the Navajo Nation’s President and council delegates and the general public is invited.

The new owner, Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise (NNHE), is an enterprise of the Navajo Nation. Other operations of NNHE include the Navajo Nation Inn located in Window Rock, Arizona, The Navajo Travel Center local on Interstate 40, east of Holbrook, at Navajo, Arizona and the Haskeneini Restaurant in Monument Valley.

The NNHE Tuba City Operations include Quality Inn, Tuba City and RV Park, Tuba City Trading Post and Hogan Restaurant. These operations were acquired by NNHE from Babbitt Brothers Trading Company (BBTC) on November 30, 2000 and carry with them a very historic background. It is believed that Tuba City was first settled on a seasonal basis by Hopi Indians from Oraibi. Tuba City takes its name from Tuve, a famous Hopi leader. By the 1870’s Mormons from Utah began to colonize Northern Arizona. Since the area around Tuba City had not been set aside as an Indian reservation, the Mormons established homesteads. Shortly after 1990, the federal government decided to add this area to the reservation and acquired the Mormon homesteads with the exception of a homestead owned by an early trader.

BBTC later purchased the remaining privately owned tract of land from Charles H. Algert. In 1918, a land patent was issued to the BBTC by the United States President Woodrow Wilson. The BBTC fee simple ownership interest formed an island in the Navajo Indian Reservation. The NNHE acquisition of the Tuba City Operations joined the BBTC fee simple land with the surrounding reservation, a great day for the people of the Navajo Nation.

During the 1900’s, Tuba City developed into an important commercial and social center on the western reservation. Native Americans were active traders. A carnival atmosphere was not uncommon as families conducted long overdue visits to the Tuba City Trading Post. As tourism increased, several guest rooms were added. The operations in the area have expanded as Tuba City’s commercial and tourist activities developed. Operations are highly dependent on seasonal tourism.

The purchase was the result of two years of effort by the staff of NNHE lead by Mr. Don Hubbard, the NNHE management board, numerous tribal officials including various council delegates and the controller’s office. The Board Members of the NNHE are Mr. Lorenzo Max, (Chairman) owner of the Radio Shack and Focal Point Eyewear — Tuba City, Mr. Lawrence Platero, Council delegate —Canoncito Chapter, Ms. Orlinda Hodge, Council delegate —Cornfields Chapter, Mr. Allen Naille — industry representative, Mr. Keith Roessler — industry representative. Mr. Raymond Maxx, Council delegate — Tuba City Chapter sponsored the bill for the purchase.

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