Pike's Stockade facts for kids
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Pike's Stockade
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Reproduction of the fort, 2009
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Sanford, Colorado |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1807 |
| Architect | Zebulon Pike |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000244 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
Pike's Stockade is a historic campsite located near Sanford, Colorado. It sits on the north bank of the Conejos River. This is where explorer Zebulon Pike built a small fort and raised the American flag in 1807. At that time, this land was actually claimed by Spain.
Today, the site is managed by History Colorado. It features a rebuilt wooden stockade. This new fort looks just like the one Pike described. The site was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. This means it's a very important place in American history.
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About Pike's Stockade Site
Pike's Stockade is about 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Sanford. You can find it at the end of County Road 24. The site is now a small park. It has fewer trees than it did when Pike was there.
The Rebuilt Fort Structure
The stockade is a wooden building, about 36 by 36 feet (11 m × 11 m) in size. It has strong corner towers called bastions on its northern sides. The new stockade is made from oak wood. This wood lasts longer than the cottonwood trees Pike used in 1807.
Just like Pike's original fort, this stockade has no regular doors. You enter it through a tunnel that goes under one of its walls. For visitors, this tunnel is lined with concrete. The stockade itself also sits on a concrete base.
Zebulon Pike's Expedition
Zebulon Pike led one of several expeditions for President Thomas Jefferson. These trips happened after the Louisiana Purchase. The president wanted to learn more about the huge new lands America had bought.
Pike's Journey West
Pike's expedition started in St. Louis in July 1806. They traveled for many months. They finally reached this spot in January 1807. Pike decided to build the fort here. He wanted to protect his men from possible attacks. He knew he might be on Spanish territory.
Meeting the Spanish
On February 26, 1807, about 100 Spanish soldiers arrived at the fort. They asked Pike to come to Santa Fe. Santa Fe was the capital of the Spanish territory. They wanted to talk about him being on their land.
Pike and his men went with the Spanish soldiers. They were held for a while. Finally, they were released in July 1807. This event showed the early challenges of exploring and claiming new lands in North America.
