Turney’s Trading Co. was started by Alva Turney in 1960 as an Indian Trading Post specializing in Native American silver and turquoise jewelry, rugs, pottery, baskets, kachinas, and fetishes. Within 15 years of its opening, “Turney’s” grew to include brothers Keith and Irl Wallace.

With the passing of Alva Turney in 1989, Turney’s Trading Co., has been continued by the Wallace family. Recently, Keith’s two sons, Nolan and Austin have also become involved in this multi-generational, family-owned business that has become one of the largest wholesalers of Native American arts and crafts in the Southwestern U.S.

E. L. Wallace

In 1927, Edmund Lynch Wallace, originally from Oklahoma, but then living in Chandler, Arizona, was hired by the U. S. Department of Interior to serve as an Indian Service Agent to help teach livestock and farming practices. He was sent to Toadlena, near Newcomb, New Mexico, for service to the Navajo people. That is where Stephen Paul Wallace, one of his four children, grew up.

Stephen Wallace

Being raised on the Navajo reservation Stephen Wallace became fluent in the Navajo language and culture. And as a young adult he began working for Charley Newcomb at Newcomb Trading Post.

When World War II broke out and America came under Japanese attack, Stephen enlisted in the U. S. Marines and served in the South Pacific. During his time of service, he became the only non-Navajo code talker and received the congressional Medal of Honor for his service to his country.

After the war, Stephen moved to Ft. Defiance, Arizona, and worked at Ft. Defiance Trading Post. This is where he met and married Dorothy Struve, a nurse from Philadelphia working for the U. S. Nursing Corps. Together, they raised six children in the Gallup, New Mexico, area. It is here, that two of their sons, Keith and Irl, met Alva Turney and helped to run Turney’s Trading Co. 

Keith & Irl Wallace

Together, Keith and Irl worked with Alva Turney for the next 45 years, growing Turney’s Trading Co. into one of the most respected wholesalers of Native American arts and crafts in the Southwest. But never did they lose sight of their family and their roots, and always worked to keep Turney’s store a warm, cozy, inviting environment where everyone feels comfortable, and folks from all walks of life come to meet and share stories (and doughnuts!).

Keith and Irl raised their own families in Gallup, and two of Keith’s sons, Nolan and Austin, have chosen to join in on the family business.

Nolan & Austin Wallace

Brothers Nolan and Austin Wallace grew up in Gallup, NM, and spent a lot of their childhood at Turney’s store. Naturally, they were eager to step into the family business and when the opportunity arose they took it, and now, along with their dad, Keith, the three run Turney’s Trading Co.

Nolan and Austin both reside in Gallup, NM, and enjoy their family and friends as well as all that the great outdoors New Mexico has to offer!