Bent’s Fort National Historic Site, Colorado
Nestled on the expansive plains of southeastern Colorado, along the northern bank of the life-giving Arkansas River, stands a monument to a bygone era: Bent’s Fort National Historic Site. This reconstructed adobe fort, a tangible link to the 19th century, offers a compelling glimpse into the vibrant and complex history of the American West. Unlike a traditional military installation, Bent’s Fort served as a pivotal hub for trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, profoundly influencing the destiny of the southwestern plains.
Imagine a bustling crossroads, a meeting point for diverse cultures and ambitions. Bent’s Fort was precisely that. Situated strategically in the heart of Native American territory, amidst the vast buffalo hunting grounds, and at the intersection of crucial overland routes, the fort thrived as a nexus of activity. It was a thriving fur-trading center, a vital rendezvous point for traders and indigenous peoples, a crucial way station for weary emigrants and sprawling caravans, and, perhaps most importantly, a primary point of contact between the burgeoning white settlements and the various Native American tribes of the southern Plains. Later in its history, the fort transitioned into a military staging ground, playing a role in the U.S. conquest of New Mexico.
The story of Bent’s Fort National Historic Site is inextricably linked to the ambitious individuals who established and operated it. Among the earliest and most influential figures were the Bent brothers, William and Charles, and their partner, Ceran St. Vrain. These men, pioneers of the western fur trade, recognized the immense potential of the region in the 1820s and began engaging in trade with both Mexican settlements and various Native American tribes. In approximately 1830, Charles Bent and St. Vrain solidified their partnership, forming the formidable Bent, St. Vrain, and Co., which soon became a major player in the lucrative Santa Fe trade that started in the late 1820s or early 1830s.
William Bent, initially operating independently, took the bold step of constructing a large adobe fort on the northern bank of the Arkansas River, strategically located about 12 miles west of the Purgatoire River’s mouth. This imposing structure, initially named Fort William, became widely known as Bent’s Fort and Bent’s Old Fort. The fort was more than just a trading post; it was a meticulously planned and elaborately constructed complex. Eventually, it evolved into a massive quadrangular adobe structure, boasting an impressive 24 rooms that lined the perimeter walls. To bolster its defenses, two imposing 30-foot cylindrical bastions, strategically positioned at the southwest and northeast corners, were equipped with cannons, ready to deter any potential threats.
The fort’s physical design reflected its strategic importance and self-sufficiency. The walls, towering 15 feet high and stretching two feet thick, were formidable barriers. They extended four feet above the building roofs, creating a secure platform for armed soldiers to patrol and defend the premises. Loopholes were strategically incorporated into the walls, providing further defensive capabilities. On the south side, a high wall enclosed a large cattle yard, ensuring a steady supply of provisions. Inside this bustling hub, a diverse community of approximately 60 individuals lived and worked, representing a wide array of nationalities and vocations. Blacksmiths, trappers, traders, carpenters, mechanics, wheelwrights, gunsmiths, cooks, cattle herders, hunters, clerks, teamsters, and laborers all contributed to the fort’s vibrant and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Bent’s Fort served as the headquarters for Bent, St. Vrain, and Co., and became a crucial crossroads in the Southwest. Its strategic location at the junction of the north-south route between the Platte River and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the east-west route up the Arkansas River to the mountains, made it an indispensable stop for travelers and traders alike. Mountain men, laden with valuable beaver skins, would routinely stop by to exchange their wares, replenish their supplies, compare notes, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow adventurers. Traders utilized the fort to forward their fur shipments and obtain essential goods. For an impressive 16 years, Bent, St. Vrain, and Co. skillfully managed a highly profitable trading empire that stretched from Texas to Wyoming and from the Rocky Mountains to Kansas, actively participating in the dynamic Santa Fe trade.
The year 1835 marked a significant turning point in the fort’s history. William Bent, the resident manager of the fort, solidified his connection to the region by marrying the daughter of a prominent Southern Cheyenne Indian. This union not only brought personal happiness but also significantly enhanced his influence within the tribe. Bent actively promoted intertribal peace and implemented fair trading practices, restricting the use of whiskey in transactions. His influence played a crucial role in maintaining friendly relations between the Arapaho and Southern Cheyenne tribes and the United States, a bond that persisted well after the Mexican-American War. Due to its reputation as a neutral zone within Indian country, the fort became a natural meeting place for southern Plains tribes, U.S. officials, and intertribal councils.
The fort’s significance as a diplomatic center grew in the years that followed. In 1835, Colonel Henry Dodge convened a meeting at the fort with the chiefs of several tribes to address concerns about depredations along the Santa Fe Trail. Five years later, a significant peace council was held just three miles east of the fort. William Bent played a pivotal role as a mediator between various tribes, including the Cheyenne and Comanche, who ultimately forged a peace pact. Recognizing the fort’s strategic location and Bent’s unique influence, the U.S. Government, in 1846, officially designated it as the Upper Platte and Arkansas Indian Agency, appointing Thomas Fitzpatrick as the agent.
Fitzpatrick’s responsibilities encompassed a vast territory, stretching eastward from the Rocky Mountains and from the Arkansas River in the south to the Missouri River in the north. His tireless efforts to foster communication and understanding among the various tribes ultimately contributed to the treaties signed at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in 1851, and Fort Atkinson, Nebraska, in 1853. These treaties, while ultimately fragile, brought a temporary semblance of peace to the turbulent Plains.
However, despite the power and influence wielded by the Bents and St. Vrain, events beyond their control were rapidly approaching, destined to irrevocably alter the course of their company and the region’s trade dynamics. As the Mexican-American War loomed on the horizon (1846-48), the U.S. Army recognized the strategic importance of Bent’s Fort and utilized it as a staging base for the impending conquest of New Mexico. In the summer of 1846, General Stephen W. Kearny and his Army of the West, comprised of approximately 1,650 dragoons and Missouri Volunteers from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arrived at the fort, followed by a substantial caravan of 300 to 400 wagons belonging to Santa Fe traders. They rested and resupplied at the fort before continuing their march to occupy New Mexico.
The influx of soldiers and government wagons brought significant challenges. Nearby pastures were overgrazed by the army’s horses and mules, quartermaster stores accumulated at the fort, and soldiers and teamsters occupied the available rooms. The government’s compensation to the company was inadequate, and trade suffered as the presence of so many white settlers deterred Native Americans from approaching the fort. The settlers, gold seekers, and adventurers who followed the soldiers into New Mexico further exacerbated the situation by slaughtering buffalo, polluting water sources, depleting scarce forage, and consuming precious wood. The company found itself caught between the growing resentment of the Native Americans and the relentless encroachment of the white settlers.
Several other factors contributed to the company’s eventual demise. In 1847, Charles Bent, who had been appointed as the first Governor of the New Mexico Territory the previous year, was tragically assassinated during the Taos Revolt. The following year, St. Vrain sold his interest in the company to William Bent. The final devastating blow came in 1849, when a cholera epidemic, spread by emigrant wagons, decimated the Plains tribes. Disheartened and disillusioned, William Bent abandoned Bent’s Fort in 1849 and moved 38 miles down the Arkansas River, where he established Bent’s New Fort in a desperate attempt to revive his trading business.
Legend has it that William Bent may have partially blown up and burned Bent’s Old Fort upon his departure, signaling the end of an era. After more than a decade of neglect, the fort’s rehabilitated walls provided shelter for a stage station on the Barlow and Sanderson route between Kansas City and Santa Fe, New Mexico, by 1861. However, with the advent of railroads, stagecoaches became obsolete, and the buildings were repurposed as cattle corrals, gradually collapsing and disintegrating over time. Remarkably, remnants of the old walls were still standing as late as 1915, testaments to the fort’s enduring legacy.
In the early 1950s, the Colorado State Historical Society recognized the historical significance of Bent’s Old Fort and acquired the site, initiating an archeological investigation to determine the fort’s original outlines. In 1960, the site was officially designated as a National Historic Landmark. Further archeological excavations were conducted after it became part of the National Park System, providing valuable information that enabled a complete reconstruction of the old adobe trading post. Today, at Bent’s Fort National Historic Site, visitors can step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the 1840s. Living historians recreate the daily life of the fort, offering guided tours, demonstrations, and special events that bring the past to life.
Contact Information:
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
35110 Hwy.194 East
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-5010