Suzy Belle Dolls

The “Suzy Belle” dolls were hand made in the early 1970s at the Hualapai Tribal Factory in Peach Springs, Arizona.

The dolls, which are collectible items today, initially sold for about $18.

Seamstress Annie Chase created the original pattern in the 1860s when she made these dolls as gifts.

Ms. Chase’s pattern was passed down to her granddaughter, Ruth Underwood, who improved the pattern, developed a fabrication process, and opened a factory with her husband to manufacture “Suzy Belle Dolls.”

The factory employed about twenty Hualapai tribal members who produced an average of 59 dolls each day.

Funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs helped support operations.

Following a dispute with the Underwoods, the Hualapai Indian Tribe began manufacturing the “Hualapai Indian Doll” which was similar to the “Suzy Belle” doll but wore more traditional styles of clothing and had more Native features that included dark hair and the incorporation of feathers and headbands.

The Underwoods relocated to Colorado where they continued to make their original dolls as well as adding African American and Caucasian themed variations.

Manufacturing ceased later in the 1970s.