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| Above, the original Goulding's Lodge and trading post in 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The nearly 100-year-old Goulding's Lodge near Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park may be purchased by the Navajo Nation.
Goulding's Lodge was founded by Harry Goulding in the 1920s and served Hollywood, especially director John Ford, starting with the 1939 classic, Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor.
According to the San Juan Record:
The nearly 100-year-old iconic Goulding properties in Monument Valley are moving closer to changing ownership to the Navajo Nation.
Members of the Navajo Nation Council approved legislation on October 17 to approve the purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge for $59.5 million.
The legislation was sponsored by Council Delegate Herman Daniels, Jr. Delegate Daniels represents Tsah Bii Kin, Navajo Mountain, Shonto, and Oljato chapters on the Navajo Nation Council.
“The purchase of Goulding’s is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Navajo Nation and has the backing of the Oljato Chapter who passed a resolution supporting the purchase,” said Daniels.
While the agreed purchase price for the property is $59.5 million, the Nation shares it is $13.9 million below the appraised value of the property. The property will be purchased using money from the Navajo Nation Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
A presentation given to the Navajo Nation Council in July estimated the Navajo Nation would generate an annual return of $7.4 million, a return of investment of 12.45 percent for the tribe.
Included with the purchase of the property are assets that include 670 acres of land, a Monument Valley Tour business, an RV campground with rental cabins, the gas station and convenience store, grocery store, the airstrip, and all existing utilities.
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| Above, my 2016 Goulding's Lodge Campground campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I have stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground twice, in 2016 and, most recently, in October 2022. Both times I have taken their tours of Monument Valley.
If the sale to the Navajo Nation goes through, I hope they keep the Goulding's name.
To read more, go here.
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