Window Rock Arizona
Window Rock is located in Apache County, Arizona on the New Mexico-Arizona border. It is a census-designated place with a population of 3,059 as of 2000. It is the Navajo Nation’s administrative Capitol and center. It got its name from the hole in the 200 foot high sandstone hill aptly called “window rock” which was located there.
The Window Rock was simply one of the scenic wonders of Navajoland up until 1936. It was that way until John Collier, Commissioner of Indian Affairs that time, chose the site for the planned Navajo Center Agency. It was that same year that the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Tribe and Public Health Service administrative buildings were constructed.
Currently, one of the many interesting and historical places within the vicinity of Window Rock are the “Haystacks,” which was called “Tséta’cheéch’ih” by the Navajo people. It means “wind going through the rocks.” These “Haystacks” are rounded sandstone monoliths which literally look like haystacks. It is located about 1 mile south of the Navajo capitol.
Another rock formation just south of the Haystacks is the “Tséyaató” which means “spring under the rock.” Back in 1864, this spring was the first stopping place out of Fort Defiance after about 4,000 Navajos in the area began their “Long Walk” to Fort Summer.
