Fort Uncompahgre Explained

Fort Uncompahgre
Settlement Type:Trading post and fort
Nickname:Fort Robidoux
Pushpin Map:Colorado
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Colorado
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Delta
Subdivision Type3:Nearest town
Subdivision Name3:Delta
Unit Pref:US

Fort Uncompahgre was a fur trading post constructed in 1828 by Antoine Robidoux, a trader based out of Mexican Santa Fe. The post was situated about two miles down from the confluence of the Gunnison River and the Uncompahgre River, near the present day community of Delta, Colorado. Its design was more to secure goods and livestock than to be defensive,[1] and was abandoned in 1844 when hostilities broke out between Ute and Mexicans.[2]

In 1989–1990, local historian William Bailey headed up a group that reconstructed the fort. This reconstruction of the fur trading post is open to the public,[3] although the precise location of the original site has been lost and little is known about the original construction or layout.[1]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Fort Uncompahgre. Michael Schaubs. 21 November 2013.
  2. O’Rourke. Paul. Antoine Robidoux, Notorious Trapping and Trading Entrepreneur. 21 November 2013. Telluride Magazine. Winter/Spring 2009-2010.
  3. Web site: Fort Uncompahgre. Southwest Colorado Heritage. 21 November 2013.

Further reading