Pike's Stockade - Sanford, CO
N 37° 17.634 W 105° 48.623
13S E 428173 N 4127784
This fort is identical to the one Zebulon Pike built on his expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
Waymark Code: WMGTQM
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 04/09/2013
Views: 4
The location and description of the original fortification is found in the record of the expedition written by Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Himself. Using these records the State of Colorado has erected a replica of the Pike Stockade on a site that from the evidence would appear authentic.
Of the three habitations Pike built in Colorado, the stockade on the Conejos River, erected in January-February, 1807, after a desperate winter crossing of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, possesses the greatest historical importance. Here he raised the American flag over Spanish soil and was taken into custody by Spanish dragoons, who escorted him to Santa Fe. It has been suggested that Pike made this move in order to obtain entry and access into Spanish possessions for the purpose of gathering intelligence about the country and its population.
Excerpts from the Pike Stockade NRHP Nomination Form [visit link]
Lt. Zebulon Pike led the second official exploration into the United States' newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. Crossing the Sangre de Cristo mountains into the San Luis Valley, Pike constructed a stockade out of Cottonwood logs to protect his men from the winter and from Spanish raiders. However, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Pike built his fort on Spanish soil and on February 26, 1807, a force of 100 Spanish cavalry appeared to escort him to the governor in Santa Fe. Pike was taken to Chihuahua and questioned by the Spanish. He was finally freed in July and reported his findings, having gained valuable insight into the geographical knowledge of the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and the Spanish presence in the southwest.
In 1926 the state of Colorado acquired land and, in 1952, built a replica of Pike's stockade. The site was selected based on detailed description given by Pike in his journal and the fort replicates the original as closely as possible. In 1962 the site was registered as a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The fort, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day (8-5 daily), is located about 4 miles east of Sanford. A picnic area is located nearby and historic markers provide some insight into the history of the area.
Source: National Register of Historic Places, San Luis Valley Heritage, National Geographic GeoTourism Map Guide