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 trading post in Colorado, United States. It is about 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Denver. Two men, Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette, built it in 1835. They used it to trade furs.
In the 1930s, the fort was rebuilt by the Works Progress Administration. Today, it sits right next to U.S. Route 85. History Colorado took over the fort in 1958. Now, it is a museum. The museum shows what life was like during the fur-trading times.
The Story of Fort Vasquez
Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette first built a small trading post in 1834. They called it Fort Convenience. It was near the South Platte River and Clear Creek.
Building the Fort
In 1835, Vasquez and Sublette decided to build a bigger, stronger fort. This new fort was named Fort Vasquez. It was made from adobe, which is a type of sun-dried brick. They got a special license to trade from William Clark. He was in charge of Native American affairs in St. Louis, Missouri.
Trading Days at the Fort
Fort Vasquez became a busy place for trading. Fur traders, trappers, and mountain men came here. They also traded with Native American tribes, like the Arapaho and Cheyenne. Many other trading posts were nearby, so there was a lot of competition.
However, Vasquez and Sublette found it hard to make enough money. In 1840, they sold Fort Vasquez to Lock and Randolph. But Lock and Randolph soon went out of business. They left the fort empty in 1842. Because of this, Vasquez and Sublette never got all the money they were owed.
Saving the Fort
Years later, the fort was almost torn down. This happened when U.S. Route 85 was being built. A local person named Fern Miller helped save it. She worked hard to protect the historic site. Later, she became the Superintendent of the Denver Mint. Thanks to people like her, Fort Vasquez is still here today.
