Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico
The story of Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico, is a compelling tale woven into the rich tapestry of the American West, a testament to ambition, opportunity, and the ever-present challenges of frontier life. Located near present-day Watrous, New Mexico, this fortified trading post played a significant role in the mid-19th century, serving as a vital hub for travelers, traders, and settlers navigating the treacherous Santa Fe Trail. Its history is intertwined with the conclusion of the Mexican-American War and the subsequent influx of American influence into the region.
In November 1847, word reached the settlers of El Pueblo, Colorado, that Mexico City had fallen, signaling the end of the Mexican-American War. This news had profound implications for the region, ushering in a new era of American control and opening up possibilities for westward expansion. Among those eager to capitalize on these changes was Alexander Barclay, a seasoned trader who had already established a presence in El Pueblo and Hardscrabble, Colorado. Recognizing the shifting landscape, Barclay divested himself of his Colorado properties in late November of that year.
The vision for Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico, began to solidify in March 1848, when Alexander Barclay, in partnership with fellow trader George S. Simpson, journeyed south along the Mora River from Colorado to Watrous, New Mexico. Their expedition was driven by a promising tip from Thomas Fitzpatrick, a renowned fur trader, who suggested that the U.S. government was likely to construct a fort in the area to safeguard travelers along the Santa Fe Trail from Native American incursions.
Barclay and Doyle saw an opportunity to capitalize on the region’s need for a safe haven. Their plan was ambitious: to construct a fort and then sell it to the U.S. government for a profit. The location was also ideal for a trading post, strategically positioned near the junction of the Cimarron Cutoff and the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail. This confluence of routes made it a prime location to serve the needs of the burgeoning traffic along the trail. Impressed by the area’s potential, Barclay wasted no time in traveling to Santa Fe to purchase a portion of the Scolly Land Grant, laying the foundation for his ambitious venture.
The construction of Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico, was a significant undertaking. On April 23rd, the largest caravan to ever cross the Raton Pass departed from Pueblo, Colorado, heading south. Comprising 18 armed men and heavily laden wagons filled with household goods, food, and supplies, the caravan advanced at a steady pace of 7-10 miles per day. They reached the base of Raton Pass on May 1st. After leaving the women and children in Mora, New Mexico, the men arrived in the La Junta Valley and immediately began establishing their "fort." This location offered advantages over Colorado, as supplies like whiskey, flour, and other necessities were readily available from nearby Mora and Taos, New Mexico.
The project was soon placed under the supervision of Charles Autobees, who arrived from Mora to oversee the construction of the adobe fort. Under his guidance, two irrigation ditches were dug to cultivate 200 acres of land. A fortified wall was erected, several cabins were built, a blacksmith shop was established, a water well was dug in the center of the enclosure, and corrals were constructed. The total cost of the fort’s construction reached approximately $28,000, a substantial investment for the time. By September 4th, the fort was deemed sufficiently complete for Barclay to bring his wife, Teresita Suaso, to their new home. Shortly after, on September 19th, Doyle arrived with a blacksmith, and a few days later, he brought his wife down from Mora.
Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico, was a formidable structure, encompassing an acre of land. The large, square enclosure was protected by 16-foot adobe walls and featured two circular bastions, each equipped with a six-pounder gun. A heavy, lockable gate provided secure access. The fort quickly became a popular camping place for pioneers and wagon trains traversing the Santa Fe Trail. The fort bustled with daily trading activity, served as a stagecoach station, provided housing for men, shelter for animals, and a secure camping place for wagon trains. Its stockade offered protection from Indian raids, making it a vital refuge in a dangerous territory. At some point, a post office also opened within the fort, further solidifying its role as a center of commerce and communication.
Despite its success, Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico, faced challenges. In 1850, Barclay attempted to sell the fort to the U.S. Army for $15,000, but his offer was rejected. Instead, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumner sought to force Barclay off his land to build a military fort. In 1851, Sumner began establishing Fort Union approximately nine miles northwest of Watrous. The Army again tried to force Barclay off his land, but Barclay filed a lawsuit, initiating a legal battle that would last for several years.
The establishment of Fort Union cast a shadow over the future of Barclay’s Fort. The prices of beaver pelts and buffalo hides declined, impacting the profitability of the trading post. In letters to his brother, Barclay lamented his dire financial situation, citing a $5,000 debt, the constant loss of cattle due to Indian raids, and the high cost of maintaining his household and staff.
In 1853, Barclay traveled north to trade with Native American tribes but discovered that they had moved from their expected locations, resulting in a significant financial loss. Upon returning to the fort, he found that operations had deteriorated and the fort was in disrepair. By the end of October, he was living alone in the fort. He and Doyle advertised the fort for sale in Santa Fe newspapers, but they received no offers.
In November 1853, New Mexico’s attorney general, W. W. H. Davis, provided a vivid description of the post:
"It is a large adobe establishment and, like the immense caravansaries of the East, serves as an abode for men and animals. It presents a rather formidable and neat appearance from the outside, pierced with loopholes and ornamented with battlements. The rooms within were damp and uncomfortable, and all the surroundings looked so gloomy, the hour being twilight, that it reminded me of some old state prison where the good and great of former times have languished away their lives."
In 1854, the post office at Fort Barkley closed, and it would be over a decade before another would open in nearby Watrous. Alexander Barclay soon fell ill and died at the age of 45. He was buried at his "fort" in December 1855.
The legal dispute with the army over the land continued with Joseph Doyle, who ultimately prevailed. In 1856, Doyle sold the land and the fort to William Kronig, a German immigrant, for approximately $7,000. Kroenig acquired 94 head of cattle and 200 sheep, which he drove to Watrous. He cemented a familial relationship with Samuel Watrous by marrying his daughter, Louisa. He lived at Barclays Fort until he built his showpiece Phoenix Ranch in 1862, just west of his father-in-law’s property. Here, he created nine artificial lakes and stocked them with fish, transforming the landscape.
A spring flood destroyed the remains of Barclay’s Fort, New Mexico in about 1900. Today, Kroenig’s Phoenix Ranch, which still stands, is all that remains of Barclay’s previous holdings.
Barclay’s Fort was located approximately two miles north of Watrous on the south bank of the Mora River, west of I-25. Although the buildings are long gone, the foundations can still be seen in the historic district, serving as a reminder of this important chapter in the history of the Santa Fe Trail and the American West.