BENT'S OLD FORT
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BENT'S OLD FORT |
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NAME: Bent's Old Fort COUNTY: Otero ROADS: 2WD GRID: 1 CLIMATE: Can be snow and cold in winter BEST TIME TO VISIT: Accessible year-round. |
COMMENTS:
The fort is a National Historic site and administered by the U.S. National Park Service. It is located 8 miles east of LaJunta and 15 miles west of Las Animas on Colorado Highway 194. Information and visiting hours can be obtained by writing the Superintendant's Office, 35110 Hwy 194 East, LaJunta, CO 81050-9523. There motels and resturants in both LaJunta and Las Animas as well as beautiful camp sites at Johm Martin Reservoir just a few miles east of Las Animas. Plus a number of interesting museums are located in both towns. REMAINS: The entire fort has been reconstructed with a lot of the original structure in place. |
| "At a distance it presents a handsome appearance, being castle-like with towers at its angles...the design...answering all purposes of protection, defense, and as a residence." George R. Gibson, a soldier who visited the fort in 1846. He also wrote in his journal, "It is crowded with all kinds of persons: citizens, soldiers, traders to Santa Fe, Indians, Negros, etc. The Indians were Arapaho, a fine-looking set of men, with mules to trade." Submitted by: Jay Warburton |
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