Sante Fe Trail - Bent's Fort Markers - La Junta, Colorado
Posted by: 
Big B Bob
N 38° 02.772 W 103° 25.848
13S E 637689 N 4212103
Early Santa Fe Trail historic markers for the ruins of Bent's Fort.
Waymark Code: WM6KJG
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 06/15/2009
Views: 23
Historic Daughters of the American Revolution Markers welcome you to begin your journey back in time at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. The Marker under the arch was originally placed on the ground of Bent's Old Fort. It was erected at the request of the DAR in 1910 by A. E. Reynolds. Reynolds, The Center Marker reads at the bottom:
1822 THE SANTA FE TRAIL 1875
This stone marks the point in the trail
where the brothers
CHARLES and COL. WILLIAM BENT
erected Bent's Fort in 1829
The most famous stopping place
on the trail.
The Marker on the pedestal to the left reads as:
SANTA FE TRAIL
1822------1872
MARKED BY THE
DAUGHTERS OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AND THE
STATE OF COLORADO
1908
The owner of the land donated the site of the Old Fort to the La Junta DAR Chapter in 1920. The dedication of the Center Marker took place September 5, 1912. The Marker has been moved twice by the National Park Service, first to a contact station, then in October 1984, to a site under the old gateway entrance which was closed to traffic.
Road of Trail Name: Santa Fe Trail
State: Colorado
County: Otero County
Historical Significance:
This fort was the stopping place on the Santa Fe Trail for travelers, trappers, traders, Indians, and US Government troops.
Years in use: 53 Years
How you discovered it:
These markers are at the entrance of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site.
Book on Wagon Road or Trial:
Following the Santa Fe Trail - A Guide for Modern Travellers by Marc Simmons and Hal Jackson
Website Explination:
http://www.nps.gov/beol/
Why?:
This was a covered wagon road with a stop over for many to resupply, or trade with the locals, as they headed further west.
Directions:
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
35110 Highway 194 East
La Junta, CO USA
81050
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Visit Instructions:
To post a log for this Waymark the poster must have a picture of either themselves, GPSr, or mascot. People in the picture with information about the waymark are preferred. If the waymarker can not be in the picture a picture of their GPSr or mascot will qualify. There are no exceptions to this rule.