Near La Junta in Otero County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Traveling Through History
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
1. Traveling Through History Marker
Long before the fort was built, wildlife, native peoples, European explorers, trappers, and traders traveled through this river valley. When Mexico was opened to American traders in 1821, the Santa Fe Trail developed. The trail followed routes traveled by the early inhabitants of the region.
Over time, the Arkansas River Valley saw additional use as a strategic military trail, a stagecoach route, and a railroad right-of-way. Eventually, U.S. Highway 50 was built, allowing travel from Washington D.C. to the West Coast. Today, the river, trail route, railroad, and highway can all be seen from the fort as travelers cover distances that used to take months in a matter of a few hours.
In 1845 and 1846, Lt. James Abert traveled the Southwest on U.S. Army Expeditions, spending time at Bent’s Old Fort. He documented his travels with journals, maps and illustrations.
Abert Illustration: A mounted Cheyenne warrior entitled to “count his coups” – that is, to recite his exploits, Aug. 9,
this page online
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1846.
Location. 38° 2.797′ N, 103° 25.775′ W. Marker is near La Junta, Colorado, in Otero County. It is on State Highway 194 0.3 miles east of County Road 35, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site and may be viewed from the Bent’s Old Fort hiking trail 0.3 miles northeast of the parking lot; the driveway to the Bent’s Old Fort parking lot is located 0.2 miles west of the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Junta CO 81050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley and in the Eastern Plains. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, on the High Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Photographed by Google Street View (©2014 Google), August 2012
2. Traveling Through History Marker
Bent's Old Fort in right background
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Santa Fe Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bent's Fort on Santa Fe Trail (about 400 feet away); Trail Sites to the East (about 400 feet away); Trail Sites to the West (about 400 feet away); Trading Post on the Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to the Borderlands (approx. ¼ mile away); A Babel-Tongued Multitude (approx. ¼ mile away); An Adobe Outpost (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Junta.
Also see . . .
1. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on February 18, 2014.)
2. Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on February 18, 2014.)
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
3. Bent's Old Fort
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
4. Bent's Old Fort
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
5. Interior of Bent's Old Fort
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
6. Arkansas River Valley
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
7. Arkansas River
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 663 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 18, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of wide-view of marker and surroundings. • Can you help?
