Fort Saint Vrain

Fort Saint Vrain was a two-story adobe building with an inner courtyard, situated at the junction where Saint Vrain Creek and South Platte River meet. This layout allowed traders to house people and goods securely while managing commerce across the region.

The Bent, St. Vrain Company obtained a trading license in 1836 and built the fort the following year to serve the fur trade. It remained operational until 1848, when shifts in commerce and new transportation routes reduced its importance.

This trading post served as a meeting point where different peoples came together to exchange goods and share knowledge. The daily presence of fur traders, mountain men, and tribal members created a space where different ways of life intersected and influenced one another.

The memorial site sits west of Highway 85, accessible via Weld County Road 40 that extends into rural territory. Early morning visits work well since the location is remote, and having your own transportation is helpful for exploring the area.

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, son of the famous Sacajawea from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, worked here as a translator and trader. His presence connected the history of that important expedition directly to the daily operations of this trading hub.