Bent’s New Fort, Colorado
The windswept plains of southeastern Colorado bear witness to a rich tapestry of history, etched with the stories of traders, Native American tribes, soldiers, and pioneers. Among these echoes of the past, the remnants of Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, stand as a silent testament to the ambitions and challenges of westward expansion in the mid-19th century. This lesser-known successor to the famed Bent’s Old Fort offers a poignant glimpse into the evolving landscape of the American West.
William Bent, a pivotal figure in the history of the Santa Fe Trail, had successfully operated Bent’s Old Fort near present-day La Junta, Colorado, for nearly two decades, beginning in 1833. This sprawling adobe structure served as a vital hub for trade between white settlers and various Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho. It was a place where goods were exchanged, alliances were forged, and cultures collided.
However, the tumultuous events of the 1840s took their toll on Bent’s Old Fort. The Mexican-American War, with its influx of soldiers, disrupted the established trade patterns. The presence of a large military contingent made the Native American tribes wary of approaching the post. Furthermore, the tragic assassination of William’s brother, Charles Bent, who was serving as the Governor of the New Mexico Territory, and a devastating cholera epidemic contributed to the decline of the once-thriving trading post.
Disillusioned and facing mounting difficulties, William Bent made the difficult decision to abandon Bent’s Old Fort in 1849. He relocated approximately 38 miles down the Arkansas River to a location known as Big Timbers. This area held significance as a favored campground for the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. The Big Timbers area offered a strategic location for resuming trade with these crucial partners.
Upon arriving at Big Timbers, Bent initially erected a temporary log stockade on the north bank of the Arkansas River. This makeshift structure served as a temporary trading post, allowing him to re-establish contact with the Native American tribes and resume his business operations. It was a modest beginning, but it signaled Bent’s determination to continue his involvement in the fur trade and maintain his relationships with the indigenous populations of the region.
Recognizing the need for a more permanent and secure structure, Bent embarked on a new construction project. In 1852 and 1853, he replaced the log stockade with a stone structure that would become known as Bent’s New Fort, Colorado. This new fort, while smaller in scale than its predecessor, was designed to serve as a more durable and defensible trading post.
Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, bore a resemblance to the iconic Bent’s Old Fort, but with notable differences. It comprised 12 rooms that enclosed a central courtyard, providing a secure and organized space for trading and living. The fort was fortified with parapets, offering a degree of protection against potential threats. However, unlike Bent’s Old Fort, it lacked bastions or cannons strategically positioned on the corners of the roof. The walls of the fort stood approximately 16 feet high, providing a solid barrier against intruders.
Despite Bent’s efforts to establish a successful trading post at the new location, Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, faced significant challenges. By the time of its founding, the Indian trade was already in decline. The influx of emigrants, gold seekers, and increased freight traffic along the Arkansas River had transformed the region. The once-abundant cottonwood trees at Big Timbers were felled to provide fuel and building materials, and the increased human activity frightened away the game animals that the Native American tribes relied upon for sustenance.
The changing landscape of the American West presented new obstacles for William Bent. The traditional trading patterns were disrupted, and the relationship between white settlers and Native American tribes became increasingly strained. The era of the fur trade was coming to an end, and the future of the region was uncertain.
In 1860, the U.S. military began constructing Fort Wise, which was later renamed Fort Lyon, approximately one mile southwest of Bent’s New Fort, Colorado. This new military installation further altered the dynamics of the region. Recognizing the changing circumstances, William Bent leased his fort to the U.S. Military. It was subsequently used as the Upper Arkansas Indian Agency and Commissary for Fort Wise, providing supplies and administering relations with the Native American tribes in the area.
After leasing Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, to the military, William Bent relocated upriver to the mouth of the Purgatoire River. There, he built a wooden stockade, where he resided until his death in 1869. Bent’s life came to an end after many years of service to the expansion of the west.
Over the course of time, the buildings of Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, gradually disintegrated, succumbing to the ravages of weather and neglect. However, the remnants of the earthworks still remain, offering a tangible link to the past. The site of the fort, marked by a historical marker, is located on private property in Bent County, Colorado, on a secondary road approximately 1 ½ miles south of U.S. 50, about eight miles west of Lamar.
While the physical remains of Bent’s New Fort, Colorado, may be modest, its significance in the history of the American West is undeniable. It represents the final chapter in the story of William Bent, a key figure in the fur trade and a pivotal player in the interactions between white settlers and Native American tribes. The fort stands as a reminder of the changing landscape of the region, the challenges faced by traders and Native Americans alike, and the enduring legacy of the westward expansion.