Peacekeepers of the Frontier

Peacekeepers of the Frontier. . , Western expansion and the need to keep peace between settlers and indigenous people fueled the need for frontier forts. Fort Garland was established in 1858, replacing the earlier Fort Massachusetts, just six miles to the north. , Five of the twenty-two original buildings at Fort Garland are still standing, including the Commandant's Quarters where Kit Carson lived with his family. These structures, along with several historical reproductions, can be seen with a visit to the Fort Garland Museum. , Women and children were not uncommon at Fort Garland. The families of officers often accompanied them to this outpost. Unattached women resided at the fort and worked as laundresses. Recent archaeological explorations on the grounds of the fort have uncovered many children's toys. , Did You Know…? , . Soldiers at the fort slept two to a bed. , . Army laundresses often made more money than the soldiers. , . Prisoners were given a blanket, a slop bucket, and one daily meal. , [photo captions] , . Christopher "Kit" Carson commanded the New Mexico Volunteers at Fort Garland from 1866-1867. In conjunction with Chief Ouray and other Ute leaders, Carson negotiated a settlement that created a Ute reservation. , . Unknown military family posing for picture at Fort Garland in 1874 , . The fort was constructed of adobe bricks (mud and straw) with flat roofs held up by large log beams called vigas, all local building materials. , . The “Buffalo Soldiers,” famed African-American members of the 10th Cavalry, were stationed at Fort Garland between 1876 and 1879. , Timeline [across bottom of interpretive panel] , 1812 . War of 18 12 between U.S. and Britain , 1832 . Conejos Guadalupe Land Grant bestowed by Mexico to 50 New Mexican families , 1843 . Sangre de Cristo Land Grant bestowed by Mexico to Narcisco Beaubien and Stephen Lee , 1846-1848 . Mexican American War , 1848 . U.S. defeated Mexico, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed , 1851 . Settlement of San Luis established (oldest town in Colorado) , 1852 . U.S. military establishes Fort Massachusetts , 1852-1860 . Other settlements established on east side of valley: San Pablo Garcia, San Pedro, San Acacio, Chama, Los Fuertes, Jaroso, San Francisco, Mesita , 1854-1870 . Guadalupe settled (earliest permanent settlement on west side of the San Luis Valley): Mogote, Conejos, Los Rincones, Las Mesitas, San Rafael, Ceniceros/Lobatos, Cañon, Capulin, Los Sauces, Los Cerritos, La Florida, La Isla, Espinoza, El Centrito , 1858 . Fort Garland established , 1861 . San Luis Valley becomes part of Colorado Territory , 1861 . Colorado becomes U.S. Territory , 1861-1865 . U.S. Civil War , 1874-1888 . Mormon settlers establish: Manassa, Richfield, Romeo, Sanford, Morgan , 1876 . Colorado granted U.S. statehood , 1877 . Denver and Rio Grande Railroad arrives in San Luis Valley near Fort Garland , 1878-1880 . Railroad settlements/towns established: Alamosa, La Jara, Antonito , 1883 . Fort Garland abandoned , 1900 . La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) founded in Antonito