Fort Le Duc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Le Duc
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Trading post and fort
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| Nickname(s):
Buzzard's Roost, El Cuerbo, Maurice's Fort, and Crow's Nest
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 Fort Le Duc
Location in Colorado
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| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Custer |
| Nearest town | Wetmore |
Fort Le Duc was an old fort and trading post built a long time ago, around 1830 or 1835. It was located near a town called Wetmore, Colorado. This fort got its name from a trapper named Maurice LeDuc (or LeDoux).
Contents
Where was Fort Le Duc located?
The fort was built where two creeks, Mineral Creek and Adobe Creek, met. This spot was also close to an old Native American path called the Hardscrabble Trail. This trail ran near the base of Greenhorn Mountain. It also went through the Wet Mountain Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Who built Fort Le Duc?
Maurice LeDuc was a French Canadian man. He married a woman from the Ute tribe. People believe that Maurice might have gotten money to build the fort from two brothers, Charles and George Bent. They were well-known traders.
Maurice had several things that helped his fort become successful. The Mexican government gave him permission to trade. He could also buy a strong alcoholic drink called Taos Lightning. Plus, his wife had many Native American friends who came to trade at the post.
What was the fort like?
Fort Le Duc was a square-shaped fort. It was about 144 feet (44 m) wide. The walls were made of tall wooden poles, called picket lots. There were strong towers, called bastions, at each corner for defense.
On the west side of the fort, there were wooden gates. These gates led into a central area inside the fort, which was about 48 square feet. Inside the fort, there was a house made of adobe bricks. This house had eight rooms and was where people lived. The fort helped keep settlers safe from conflicts with Native American groups.
The fort was used until about 1848 or 1854. By then, new settlements like Hardscrabble were growing in the area. Today, you won't find any remains of the fort.
Remembering Fort Le Duc
In 1969, a special historical marker was put up to remember Fort Le Duc. The marker was placed by several groups, including the Arkansas Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. You can find this marker about seven miles south of Florence. It is called "Hardscrabble."
