Bob Hosler, Early Trader of San Juan County

Most people in San Juan County remember Hosler’s Thin Bear Trading post and the beautiful jewelry and art created and sold there. But there are probably many things you don’t know about this amazing family. Bob Hosler was raised in Montrose, Colorado, where his father homesteaded. As an LDS missionary on the reservation, he learned to communicate efficiently in Navajo, which was an asset when he later started working in the Pinedale store 25 miles north of Gallup.

Bob was well educated and graduated from Weber County High, Colorado A&M, BYU, and Weber State College. He received a degree in 1966 from Weber State in sociology. After 1955 Bob spent most of his time on the reservation working with Navajos, as he could communicate well in Navajo. He was often invited to Navajo ceremonies and learned the importance of “living in harmony.”

When Navajo families face a problem, they often invite a Navajo medicine man to come and they have a “sing” to help an individual of family regain harmony. Their approach to problem solving is quite different from most Anglos. Bob remembered one time when there was a great drought in the area and Anglo leaders “came with their airplanes and dropped iodine crystals on the clouds but nothing happened.

As a result, the Navajo people decided they should go back to their traditional ways and not look to the white man for help. Traditionally Navajos organize a “sing” or other ceremony to resolve problems. There are many beautiful traditions such as the Squaw dances, Yeibichai, Hozhonsha and Beauty Way which are all important in bringing harmony.

Hosler became very intrigued and skilled in learning crafts and skills from Navajo artists. The value of Navajo crafts started to boom in the 1950’s when tourists and art collectors started paying attention to local shows and artisans. Besides learning new techniques, Bob also bought Navajo art and jewelry from Navajo artisans and then would resell it.

The Little Bear Market was one of the locations having lots of beautiful crafts as well as the annual Gallup Ceremonial Show, which is one of the largest Indian arts and crafts show in the west. It was purposely made to help Native craftsmen sell their creations. Jewelry, baskets and beautiful woven rugs and blankets were all part of the crafts promoted. At The Thin Bear, Bob encouraged weavers to create smoother rugs by spinning their yarn tighter and finer to create more detailed tapestries. For decades artists and buyers supported this business.

In 1971 when the Hosler interview was conducted by Cal State Fullerton, Bob felt that the Indian craftsman’s day was just beginning. As late as 1935 crafts were selling for $2 - $3 but as Navajos developed their skills and new techniques speeded up weaving and design, a greater demand by the public made Navajo rugs, blankets, and jewelry more desired and expensive.

Bob was able to work with Title Five which provided funds for arts and crafts training at Mexican Hat. They taught silversmithing, leathercraft, picture frame making and lapidary to students. Bob worked with artists from both the Zuni and Navajo tribe. Part of the learning process was teaching students to keep records of cost and sales, paying taxes. Once artists proved their skills and built a name for themselves, they had a good future.

Eventually Bob was hired by San Juan School District where he taught high schoolers how to make Navajo jewelry. This was a very popular class at San Juan High and introduced many students to a beautiful new skill which reflected the beauty of Navajo art.