Fort Saint Vrain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Saint Vrain
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Trading post and fort
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Historical marker at the site of Fort St. Vrain
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| Nickname(s):
Fort George, Fort Lookout
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 Fort Saint Vrain
Location in Colorado
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| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Weld |
| Nearest town | Platteville |
Fort Saint Vrain was an important fur trading post built in 1837. It was set up by the Bent, St. Vrain & Company near where St. Vrain Creek meets the South Platte River. This spot was about 20 miles (32 km) east of the Rocky Mountains.
Today, Fort Saint Vrain is in Weld County, Colorado, which was once an unorganized territory of the United States. A special historical marker shows where the old fort used to stand. You can find it at the end of Weld County Road 40, about seven miles north of Fort Vasquez. One of the people who helped build the fort was Ceran St. Vrain, and the fort was named after him.
Contents
Building a Trading Post
The Bent, St. Vrain Company got permission to trade on November 8, 1836. This permission came from William Clark, who was the governor of the territory.
What the Fort Looked Like
Fort Saint Vrain was built like other forts in the area. It was a two-story building made of adobe (a type of sun-dried brick). The walls of the fort surrounded an inner courtyard. This design helped protect the people and goods inside.
Who Used the Fort
The fort was a busy place for trading. It allowed Native Americans and mountain men (who were fur trappers) to trade goods. The fort looked a lot like the adobe buildings at Fort Vasquez and Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site.
People at Fort Saint Vrain
Marcellin St. Vrain, who was Ceran St. Vrain's brother, was in charge of the trading post. He managed the daily activities and trades.
Famous Workers
Some very interesting people worked at Fort Saint Vrain. These included:
- James Beckwourth: A well-known mountain man and explorer.
- Jean Baptiste Charbonneau: He was born to Sacagawea during the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806).
Sacagawea's Role
Sacagawea was a very important person. She traveled with the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a translator. She helped them talk to the Shoshone Indian tribe. Her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau, was a trader and trapper. Jean Baptiste was just a baby when he traveled with his mother on this big adventure.
Changes at the Fort
After some time, the ownership and use of Fort Saint Vrain changed.
New Owners
In 1847, after an event called the Taos Revolt, the St. Vrain brothers went back to St. Louis. Ceran St. Vrain sold his share of the company. By 1849, William Bent became the only owner of the fort.
Moving On
William Bent stayed at Fort Saint Vrain for a short time. Later, he built a new fort called Fort Bent in an area known as Big Timbers. This marked the end of Fort Saint Vrain's main role as a trading post.
