Fort Reynolds (Colorado) facts for kids
Fort Reynolds was an important army base in Colorado. It was built near a town called Avondale, Colorado. This fort was active during a time known as the Civil War and also during conflicts with Native American tribes. It was located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Pueblo, Colorado.
Building Fort Reynolds
Construction of Fort Reynolds began in 1867. The fort covered a large area, about 23 square miles. It was named after a brave soldier named John F. Reynolds. He went to the West Point army school. Sadly, he was killed during a big battle called the Battle of Gettysburg.
The fort had many buildings. These included places for soldiers to sleep, a dining hall, and a hospital. There was also a guardhouse, a storage building, and a laundry. It had a corral for horses and a supply depot. A large parade ground was used for drills and ceremonies.
Life at the Fort
Fort Reynolds was originally built to help during the Indian Wars. However, another fort, Fort Lyon, was closer to where most of the conflicts with Native Americans happened. Because of this, Fort Reynolds became mainly a supply post. It held important goods and equipment for other army bases.
About 100 soldiers were stationed at Fort Reynolds. They mostly managed supplies and kept the fort running. In January 1868, soldiers from Fort Reynolds and Fort Lyon were called to Trinidad, Colorado. They helped calm down some citizen unrest that had started there. This was the only time Fort Reynolds soldiers saw any direct action. The fort closed down in 1872.
What Remains Today
Many years later, in the 1930s, people found interesting things at the old fort site. They discovered remnants of daily life from the soldiers. These included cooking tools, parts of weapons, buttons, and other small items.
Today, you can find a stone marker that shows where Fort Reynolds once stood. It is located on US-50 at mile marker 333. This spot is about one mile east of Avondale. The marker helps us remember this important part of Colorado's history.
