Bent's Old Fort
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in Colorado
The Fort was operated for 16 years from 1833 to 1849, as a stopping point along the Santa Fe Trail for settlers, Native Americans, Mexicans, U.S. Army, explorers, and travelers.
Started as a trading post, later, used as a headquarters for peacemaking place with tribes. Also became as a military staging point for U.S.’s invasion of northern Mexico.
The military, growing stream of settlers, and gold seekers disrupted the Indian trade, polluted water holes, then, trade was doomed by a cholera epidemic and escalating tensions between Indians and whites.
The current Fort was reconstructed in 1976, based on the archaeological excavations, paintings, original sketches, diaries, etc. Now, it is managed by the National Park Service with incredible historic setting.
This was the BEST trading post I have ever seen, for its size and strategic location at the international boundary between Mexico and U.S. back then.
The most interesting story was, Sacagawea’s son Pomp (Jean Baptiste Charbonneau) was here as a trader. After Lewis and Clark Expedition was over, Charbonneau family moved to St. Louis at Clark’s invitation, then the boy, Pomp, was left to live with Clark. Clark paid for Pomp's education at St. Louis Academy.
Later, Pomp went to France. According to the park ranger, Clark’s wife did not like a half Native-American boy was around in the same house. That’s why Pomp was sent to France. Like many other legendary stories, there was an element which enhanced the story more interesting, whether it was true or not . . . . . .
Pomp’s multilingual ability, speaking English, French, German, Spanish, Shoshone and other Native-American languages, could be a great tool for trading.
Bent's Old Fort
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site in Colorado
The Fort was operated for 16 years from 1833 to 1849, as a stopping point along the Santa Fe Trail for settlers, Native Americans, Mexicans, U.S. Army, explorers, and travelers.
Started as a trading post, later, used as a headquarters for peacemaking place with tribes. Also became as a military staging point for U.S.’s invasion of northern Mexico.
The military, growing stream of settlers, and gold seekers disrupted the Indian trade, polluted water holes, then, trade was doomed by a cholera epidemic and escalating tensions between Indians and whites.
The current Fort was reconstructed in 1976, based on the archaeological excavations, paintings, original sketches, diaries, etc. Now, it is managed by the National Park Service with incredible historic setting.
This was the BEST trading post I have ever seen, for its size and strategic location at the international boundary between Mexico and U.S. back then.
The most interesting story was, Sacagawea’s son Pomp (Jean Baptiste Charbonneau) was here as a trader. After Lewis and Clark Expedition was over, Charbonneau family moved to St. Louis at Clark’s invitation, then the boy, Pomp, was left to live with Clark. Clark paid for Pomp's education at St. Louis Academy.
Later, Pomp went to France. According to the park ranger, Clark’s wife did not like a half Native-American boy was around in the same house. That’s why Pomp was sent to France. Like many other legendary stories, there was an element which enhanced the story more interesting, whether it was true or not . . . . . .
Pomp’s multilingual ability, speaking English, French, German, Spanish, Shoshone and other Native-American languages, could be a great tool for trading.