Trading Posts and Their Stories
The vast and untamed American West, a landscape of towering mountains, sweeping plains, and meandering rivers, holds within its history the fascinating story of the fur trade. This burgeoning industry, fueled by the demand for beaver pelts and other valuable animal skins, played a pivotal role in shaping the westward expansion of the United States. At the heart of this trade were the trading posts, strategically located outposts that served as vital hubs for trappers, Native American tribes, and fur companies alike. These posts were more than just commercial centers; they were cultural crossroads, sites of exchange, and often, the only semblance of civilization in a rugged and unforgiving wilderness.
The early days of the fur trade were marked by immense hardship and risk. Fur companies, eager to capitalize on the abundance of wildlife, dispatched expeditions deep into the territories of the Platte River Valley and beyond. These pioneers, often operating far from established settlements, faced daunting challenges. The transportation of provisions was a major hurdle, making it impossible to carry enough supplies for extended periods. As a result, trappers were forced to rely almost entirely on their hunting skills for sustenance, enduring a constant struggle for survival.
The establishment of trading posts represented a significant turning point in the lives of these frontiersmen. By strategically positioning these outposts at convenient intervals throughout the wilderness, fur companies provided trappers with access to regular supplies and a much-needed respite from the rigors of their solitary existence. Prior to these rendezvous points, the trapper’s diet consisted primarily of deer, bear, buffalo, and wild turkeys, when available. During times of scarcity, they were even forced to resort to consuming the carcasses of dead horses. Luxuries such as coffee and flour, brought from the most distant settlements, were both scarce and exorbitantly priced, making them unattainable for most early adventurers.
One of the earliest attempts at establishing a trading post was Fort Vasquez, founded in 1832 by Louis Vasquez near the mouth of Clear Creek in present-day Colorado. Although named after its proprietor, Fort Vasquez never achieved significant prominence and was eventually abandoned. However, this initial endeavor paved the way for the emergence of more enduring and influential trading hubs.
Perhaps the most renowned of these establishments was Fort Laramie, located in present-day Wyoming. Erected in 1834 by William Sublette and Robert Campbell, agents of the American Fur Company, Fort Laramie quickly became a central rendezvous point for trappers and Native American tribes in the region. Initially named Fort William in honor of Sublette, the post was later renamed Fort John and finally christened Fort Laramie, paying tribute to Joseph Laramie, a French-Canadian trapper who met a tragic end at the hands of Native Americans near the river that now bears his name. Its strategic location placed it in close proximity to the territories of the Ogallala and Brule bands of the Sioux Nation, as well as the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.
In 1835, Fort Laramie was sold to Milton Sublette, Jim Bridger, and other members of the American Fur Company. The following year, the fort underwent a substantial reconstruction at a cost of $10,000. It remained a privately owned establishment until 1849, a year marked by the discovery of gold in California. Recognizing the growing importance of the westward trails and the need to protect settlers from potential conflicts with Native American tribes, the U.S. government purchased Fort Laramie and transformed it into a military post.
The original structure of Fort Laramie, like most trading posts of the era, was constructed using adobe, or sun-dried bricks. Enclosed by walls 20 feet high and four feet thick, the fort encompassed an area of 250 feet long by 200 feet wide. Adobe bastions, strategically positioned at the northwest and southwest corners, provided commanding views of the surrounding landscape, enhancing the fort’s defensive capabilities.
The fort comprised twelve buildings in total, including five sleeping rooms, a kitchen, a warehouse, an icehouse, a meat house, a blacksmith shop, and a carpenter shop. An enclosed corral, capable of accommodating up to 200 animals, was separated from the buildings by a partition. The buildings formed a square, while the corral formed a rectangle, providing a secure enclosure for horses and mules at night. During the day, when the threat of Indian raids loomed, the animals were quickly herded into the enclosure for protection.
The roofs of the buildings within the square were situated close to the fort’s walls, allowing them to be used as a banquette in the event of an Indian attack. The main entrance to the enclosure consisted of two gates with an arched passage in between. A small window, opening from an adjacent room into the passage, allowed for communication with those outside the fort when the gates were closed, providing a means of conducting trade with suspicious individuals, particularly Native Americans, without granting them access to the fort proper. During periods of heightened tension, the gates remained shut, and all business was transacted through the window.
During its peak, Fort Laramie employed approximately 30 men, solidifying its position as the dominant trading post in the region. Renowned frontiersmen such as Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Jim Baker, and Jim Beckwourth, who played pivotal roles in shaping the early history of the American West, frequented Fort Laramie and used it as a base of operations.
The officials of the fur companies stationed at Fort Laramie wielded considerable authority. With the nearest army outposts located hundreds of miles to the east, they operated with a level of autonomy akin to that of the Spanish viceroys in Mexico. Their decisions were final, and their influence extended throughout the surrounding territories.
During its heyday, Fort Laramie was a bustling community, populated by a diverse mix of men, women, and children, whose languages and complexions reflected the melting pot of cultures that converged in the American West. Their diet consisted primarily of buffalo meat dried in the sun, supplemented by a few domestic cattle that were later introduced to the region.
Fort Laramie’s location was exceptionally picturesque, nestled amidst bluffs at the confluence of the Laramie and Platte Rivers. The fertile valley, rich in natural vegetation, provided a stark contrast to the surrounding desert landscape, making it an oasis of life and prosperity. However, the glory of Fort Laramie eventually faded. As the threat posed by Native American tribes diminished, the government abandoned the post, marking the end of an era.
Another notable trading post was Fort Bridger, established in 1837 by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez. Situated on the Black Fork of the Green River, the fort was constructed of two adjoining log houses with sod roofs, enclosed by a fence of pickets eight feet high. As was common practice, the offices and sleeping apartments opened into a square, protected from Indian attacks by a massive timber gate. A corral provided secure shelter for animals at night, safeguarding them from theft and predators. The fort was home to approximately fifty individuals, including whites, Native Americans, and individuals of mixed ancestry. Following the Mormon occupation of the region, Bridger and Vasquez were forced to abandon the fort in 1853 due to disagreements with the Mormon settlers.
Fort Platte, another trading post owned by the American Fur Company, was located approximately three-quarters of a mile upstream from the mouth of the Laramie River on the left bank of the North Platte. The fort was constructed in a similar fashion to other trading posts of the time. A fierce rivalry existed between Fort Platte and Fort Laramie, leading to dramatic events and a disregard for human life.
The historical records paint a vivid picture of the annual gatherings of Native American trappers at Fort Platte. These events were often characterized by excessive drinking, revelry, and violence. Liquor, sold at exorbitant prices, fueled the chaos, leading to brawls, theft, and general mayhem.
The American Fur Company was accused of distributing drugged liquor to Native Americans, ostensibly to undermine its competitors and monopolize the fur trade. This reckless policy had devastating consequences, leading to sickness, conflict, and even death among the Native American population.
One particularly tragic incident involved a Brule chief who died after falling from his horse while intoxicated. The Native Americans blamed the American Fur Company for his death, leading to a period of mourning and heightened tensions.
The liquor traffic was a pervasive problem, contributing to the demoralization of Native American communities. Traders often cheated Native Americans out of their furs, exploiting their vulnerability while under the influence of alcohol. In one particularly disturbing example, a Sioux chief attempted to trade his daughter for liquor, highlighting the devastating impact of the trade on traditional values and family structures.
These stories of trading posts offer a glimpse into a complex and often brutal chapter in American history. These outposts were not merely commercial centers; they were microcosms of a society in flux, where cultures clashed, fortunes were made and lost, and the fate of the American West was being forged.