"History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are."
This quote from David McCullough reminds me how much Colorado's past has influenced its present. Nowhere is this more evident than at Bents Old Fort. This reconstructed site near La Junta was the major trading fort on the Santa Fe Trail during the 1830's. Now it's a living national historic site, with the emphasis on living.
Last fall we visited the Explorers Encampment at the fort. If you have never seen the fort, it's an incredible adobe structure overlooking the Arkansas River, which at the time was also the Mexican border. People were living at the fort for the weekend, doing the activities that were typical at that time.
Since we were celebrating Zebulon Pike's journey through Colorado 200 years ago, some of the re-enacters were living the parts of Pike and his company, camped along the river. Also there were Kit Carson, Lewis & Clark, the local Cheyenne tribes in tipis along the river, the Bent brothers, and many others.
The fort itself has all the right tools, shops, and authentic supplies to be self-sufficient. People living at the fort do not use any modern conveniences during their time there.
Bents Old Fort has living history activities many times during the year. Children enjoy Kids Quarters during the summer, where they learn specific jobs such as trader, hunter, cook, and so forth. Students studying Colorado History in school learn about the importance of Bents Fort for the economy of early Colorado.
The fort has a Christmas celebration the first weekend in December. The people living at the fort cook a traditional meal, have a dance, remember Joseph & Mary's journey with Las Posadas, fires burn in the little adobe fireplaces, and visitors join in the festivities.
This part of Colorado still has a strong Old West culture. Ranchers run thousands of cattle on the plains. Farmers raise their crops in the fertile Arkansas River valley. The pace of life is simpler, with the focus on family, friends and community. In other words, the OLD WEST is still alive in rural Colorado.
Ready for a visit to Bents Old Fort? Website for Bents Old Fort is http://www.nps.gov/beol/
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