Historic 1840’s Fur Trading Post – Bent’s Old Fort

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Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

If you like Westworld, you must visit this Fort! It’s a completely reconstructed 1840 Adobe Fur Trading Post, complete with actors reenacting what life was like at Bent’s Old Fort in the 1830’s-40’s. You’ll be transported through time to what used to be, the biggest structure on American soil between St-Louis and the Pacific Ocean. It was the only permanent settlement in the area that was along the Santa-Fe Trail but not controlled by Native Americans or Mexicans. Traders, Trappers, Travelers, Cheyenne, Arapaho tribes all met here peacefully for trade.

History

Named after William and Charles Bent who were originally from St-Louis Missouri. In their teens, they worked for fur companies, trading fur along the St-Louis river. They knew the business well but quickly learned that working for others, was never going to be profitable. In 1829 they borrowed some money and took off on a dangerous expedition into Mexico.

They were attacked by hostile tribes but still managed to get out with ten times the money they borrowed to finance the expedition. In 1930, they formed a partnership with Ceran St-Vrain and Bent St-Vrain & Company was born. They had a small camp with a couple wagons and tents on the Arkansas River.

William Bent didn’t like life at the camp. He preferred to go out trapping and he enjoyed mingling with the Indian Tribes instead. He respected their cultures so much that he married a Cheyenne woman named Owl Woman. Thanks to this, William managed to establish a solid trade with the Indian Tribes. He traded things like pots, pans and clothes for horses and buffalo skins.

Why did they build a fort?

His brother Charles and St-Vrain were quick to notice Williams success and they saw a need for a permanent trading establishment to support Williams business endeavors. They let William foresee the building of the establishment along the Arkansas river. The fort was on the southwest corner of the newly acquired Louisiana purchase.

It wasn’t long before this fort became the largest structure on American soils between St-Louis and the Pacific Ocean. It was the only permanent settlement in the area that was along the Santa-Fe Trail but not controlled by Native Americans or Mexicans. Just about everyone that used the Santa-Fe trail stopped here for something or other. Most simply replenished supplies such as water and food but the fort also provided much needed maintenance for wagons. This place had just about everything. There was a restaurant, bar, game hall, market, blacksmith, livestock and so much more.

Fun Fact:

Kit Carson worked for the Bent brothers in 1841 and visited the fort regularly. John C. Fremont and a lot of other western icons passed through this fort as well. It was one of the most popular stops on the Santa Fe Trail!

In 1846 the US went to war with Mexico. All of a sudden the fort was filled with military personnel. General Stephen Kearny who led the army of the west used the Fort to plan his invasion of New Mexico and Northern Mexico. William had always been a peaceful business man and he didn’t like what was going on in his fort. 3 years later he burned it down.

Why did William burn down the fort?

William was an opportunist. He knew exactly what to do when he saw an opportunity and his entire life revolved around making the most of opportunities. In 1849 a cholera epidemic started to sweep the valley. William used that as an opportunity to get the military out of his fort. He moved his family, friends and belongings out of the fort. When he was done, he set the fort on fire.

On June 3rd, 1960 it was designated as a National Historic Site and it became a National Historic Landmark on Dec 19 1960. The Old Fort was reconstructed in 1976 and is now a complete recreation of what life was like at the time in this Old Fort. There are actors that will show you how life was in the Old Fort at the time and they’ll answers any questions you have.

Hours

June 1-August 31 8:00 am- 5:30 pm

Sept 1- May 31 9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

It will cost you $3 per adult, $2 per child on a regular day or $5 for anyone above 6 during a special event. Dogs are not allowed on this site, please leave your puppy at home and not in the car.

There are restrooms by the parking area, the fort is a 1/4 mile down the trail.

Bring water, good walking shoes and a camera. There is a gift shop/book store in the Fort.