Fort Vasquez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Vasquez
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Platteville, Colorado |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| Architect | Works Progress Administration (reconstruction) |
| Architectural style | adobe fort |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000169 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 1970 |
Fort Vasquez is an old fur trading post located about 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Denver, Colorado, in the United States. It was built in 1835 by two men named Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette. Today, Fort Vasquez has been rebuilt and is a museum where you can learn all about the fur trade era. It's managed by History Colorado.
Contents
History of Fort Vasquez
Building the Trading Post
In 1834, Louis Vasquez first built a small trading spot called Fort Convenience. The next year, in 1835, he teamed up with Andrew Sublette to build Fort Vasquez. They got a special license from William Clark, who was in charge of Native American affairs at the time.
The fort was made of adobe, which is a type of brick made from earth and straw. It was built near the South Platte River and Clear Creek. This location was good for trading because it was along important travel routes.
Life at the Fort
Fort Vasquez was a busy place. Fur traders, trappers, and mountain men came here to trade. They exchanged animal furs, like beaver pelts, for supplies. Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne, also traded with the people at the fort.
There were other trading posts nearby, so there was a lot of competition. Everyone wanted to get the best furs and make the most money.
The Fort's End and New Beginning
After a few years, Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette found it hard to make enough money. In 1840, they sold Fort Vasquez to a company called Lock and Randolph. However, that company soon went out of business in 1842. This meant the fort was left empty and abandoned. Vasquez and Sublette never even got all the money they were owed from the sale.
Much later, in the 1930s, the fort was rebuilt by the Works Progress Administration. This was a government program that created jobs during a tough economic time. The goal was to restore important historical places.
Saving Fort Vasquez
The rebuilt Fort Vasquez almost got torn down again when U.S. Route 85 was being built. But a local person named Fern Miller worked hard to save it. Thanks to her efforts, the fort was preserved. Today, the highway actually splits and goes around the fort, which is pretty unique!
In 1958, History Colorado (which was then called the Colorado Historical Society) took over the fort. They turned it into a museum. Now, visitors can explore Fort Vasquez and learn about the exciting history of the fur trade in Colorado.
