Bent's Old Fort is a photograph by Priscilla Burgers which was uploaded on January 24th, 2014.
Bent's Old Fort
Entering the gate of Bent's Old Fort, near La Junta, Colorado, is like stepping back into the year 1846. The fort was one of the significant centers... more
Title
Bent's Old Fort
Artist
Priscilla Burgers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Entering the gate of Bent's Old Fort, near La Junta, Colorado, is like stepping back into the year 1846. The fort was one of the significant centers of the fur trade on the Santa Fe Trail. Built by Bent, St. Vrain & Company in 1833, the post was the center of a prosperous trading empire for 16 years. Strategically located, Bent's Fort paved the way for U.S. expansion as an instrument of Manifest Destiny. Based on original drawings, historical accounts, and archeological evidence, the fort was reconstructed by the National Park Service in 1975-76 on the site of the original post with great attention to detail. Interpreters in period clothing share the story of this crossroads of culture, where Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and other cultures came together to trade.
Pictured here is the main trade room at Bent's Fort which served trappers, traders, Indians, the fort's labor force, travelers, soldiers, and various adventurers. Bartering was performed here through an exchange of goods or an extension of credit. The value of all items at the fort depended on the quality, supply and demand for those goods. In the 1830's, beaver pelts, called "Hairy bank notes" could be bartered for trade goods. As beaver numbers declined, buffalo hides became the foundation of exchange. A separate room at the entrance with a small window met the needs of the tribes with whom the traders had more difficult relationships. The shelves were stocked with the most popular goods: calico, English and Rio Grande blanfets, guns, gunpowder, flint, knives, European beads, clay pipes, Oriental tea, coffee, Mexican chocolates, and other goods imported from around the world. Company traders, laden with goods from the fort, were often sent out to conduct trade at distant Indian camps.
A cat can be seen lying on the buffalo pelt. This cat, and it's companion, accompany visitors from room to room as they explore the fort. A similar image in vertical format is also available.
HISTORICAL FORTS Contest - 10/30/2018
FIRST PLACE
Special Curated Feature - Stories Our Images Tell
Women Photographers Group - 3/28/2018
FAA Featured Photo:
- Versatile Photography Group-01/24/2014
- Rock the Sales Group-01/24/2014
- Creators Guild Group-01/25/2014
- Women Photographers Group-01/25/2014
- A Little of this and a Little of That Group-01/25/2014
- Photography the Fine Art Group-1/25/2014
- Old Masters - Photographers and Digital Arts Group-01/26/2014
- Out West Group-01/26/2014
- FAA Featured Images Group-01/27/2014
- Artwork for Cabins Cottages and Beach Houses Group-01/28/2014
- Weekly Fun For All Mediums - Your Favorite Artwork Group-02/01/2014
- Comfortable Art Group-02/08/2014
- All COLORADO Group - 09/10/2014
- Women Photographers Group - 3/28/2018
- 500 Views Group - 5/13/2018
- Lady Photographers and Artists Group - 3/18/2024
- 10 Plus Group - 3/28/2024
Uploaded
January 24th, 2014
More from Priscilla Burgers
Comments (36)
Dylyce Clarke
Congratulations, your picture has been FEATURED on the home page in the group LADY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARTISTS on March 18, 2024. You are invited to add this featured image to the group discussion page "FEATURES ARCHIVE AND THANK YOU MESSAGES FOR Jan-April 2024.”
Toni Hopper
Congratulations Priscilla on this incredible image for our special curated features in Women Photographers - Stories Our Images Tell, 3-28-2018. You had so many great ones it was difficult to choose UNTIL I saw this one! I still remember my first visit to this historic fort when I was a 16-year-old girl getting a chance to photograph it. I need to make a trip back there now that I really know how to photograph such treasures. Fantastic work Priscilla!
Debra and Dave Vanderlaan
A wonderful emotion in this image Priscilla! We added our Like! Celebrate life, Debra and Dave