That’s how it feels sometimes. We’ve forgotten so much. The “worth a journey” attraction in La Junta is Bent’s Fort. Say what?
Way back when the border between the US and Mexico was the Arkansas river in what is now Colorado, the Bent brothers – William and Charles – founded a trading post with a partner and created a thriving business with the trappers and Indians in an outpost of civilization complete with peacocks. That was 1833. The trade turned to buffalo hides, William married Owl Woman, Colonel Stephen Kearney decided to invade Mexico (taking over the civilian fort for his base of operations), Kit Carson and many mountain men visited frequently, Charles became governor of New Mexico and was killed in the Taos uprising against American rule, William continued to go to bat for his Indian friends and relatives, and the fort was destroyed by fire. Phew. All that by 1849. Thanks to the meticulous measurements and drawings of a visitor to the fort, it was rebuilt in1975 and is now a living history museum maintained by the National Park Service. Again, well worth a visit.
