Stepping Back in Time at 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

by Priscilla Burgers

Title

Stepping Back in Time at 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 horizontal format is also available.

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Uploaded

January 30th, 2014