State of Colorado

One of the unique and wonderful things about Bent’s Old Forth National Historic Site are the living historians. You will see these people throughout the fort dressed in period attire, some of whom are performing tasks. If you have questions, they are more than willing to talk, share their knowledge, and see them perform their duties. Many national historic sites that are related to forts or the old frontier offer this, and it’s always enlightening.

The first visit to Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site took place on October 24, 2019. This national historic site visit was one of several that involved me visiting while traveling to see my girlfriend graduate with her master’s. The cold temperatures and lack of color in the landscape didn’t do the location justice. The lack of color amplified the cold, drab feeling.

In July 2020, I made a return trip with my parents to Bent’s Old Fort. My second visit was much warmer, more colorful, and a more welcoming experience of the location. I was also more appealing to photograph on this visit. All the photographs of the location are from the July 2020 visit.

If you were to visit the location, I would suggest doing it during the summer.

Brief History of the Location

The history of the Bent-St. Vrain trading empire is preserved in the unique Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. From Bent’s Old Fort, this trading empire expanded into states like Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Missouri.

In 1833, Ceran St. Vrain, William, and Charles Bent constructed the original fort out of adobe at the location. It was built here to conduct business with trappers and Plains Indians. With Fort St. Vrain to the north and Fort Adobe to the south, the fort quickly became the primary location for Bent, St. Vrain & Company. In addition to the forts, the company had store locations in Taos and Santa Fe. The company exchanged goods for buffalo robes with the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians.

This fort served as the only white settlement along the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and the Mexican colonies for a period of 16 years. Even the U.S. Army would come here to purchase supplies when they were in need, as would people traveling south. The fort gave people access to supplies, wagon repairs, cattle, good food, water, and a secure place to stay in the vast “Great American Desert.” The fort served as a base for Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny’s “Army of the West” during the conflict with Mexico in 1846. However, in 1849, disaster and disease forced the inhabitants to abandon the fort.

If this article interests you, read about other state and national parks I have visited in Colorado. Or check out other articles related to the Santa Fe Trail or Indigenous Peoples of North America.

For more information about Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, its days and hours of operation, as well as fees, visit nps.gov. Also visitlajunta.net for other information that might improve your visit.

Location

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
35110 State Highway 194
La Junta, CO 81050