Fort Vasquez

Fort Vasquez is a trading post and historic site in Colorado featuring thick adobe walls arranged in a rectangular structure typical of early 19th-century frontier establishments. The compound sits as a preserved example of how merchants organized their operations in this remote region.

Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette founded this trading post in 1835 with a license from William Clark, who oversaw Indian Affairs. The establishment became an important hub during the era when settlement pushed westward across the plains.

The fort served as a meeting point where traders, trappers, and Native Americans gathered to exchange goods and information. The thick adobe walls witnessed interactions between people from different backgrounds who came together for commerce.

The site is easy to reach on foot and the ruins are visible from the parking area, with the thick adobe walls clearly standing out from a distance. Allow time for a leisurely walk around the structure to see the preserved sections and get a sense of its layout.

During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration rebuilt this structure, and the highway that passes nearby was actually rerouted to avoid disturbing it. This unusual accommodation for a historic site reflects how seriously the location was valued for preservation.

Location: Colorado

GPS coordinates: 40.19444,-104.82028

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05