Four Forts Along the South Platte

Within a brief period of time four fur trading posts appeared within a fifteen mile reach of the South Platte River, competed vigorously with each other, and then were abandoned. Fort Vasquez (Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette) was constructed about 1835. Construction of this post was followed by Fort Lancaster (Lancaster Lupton), Fort Jackson (Peter Sarpy and Henry Fraeb), and Fort George (Fort St. Vrain) in 1837. After a period of intense competition, by 1846 all of these posts had been abandoned, and the adobe from which they were constructed was being washed back to the soil.

At no other time or place in the history of the fur trade were there ever this many competing posts so closely located and active at the same time. This was in part due to the natural resources and mild climate at this location which was favorable for both the needs of the fort and of the Indian peoples who frequented the area long before the coming of the white traders. There was an abundance of cottonwood trees for construction purposes and for fuel along the river, and buffalo were present throughout the year. Low grade coal beds which could be used for blacksmithing outcropped at the surface. Berries used by the Indians for producing pemmican were abundant. Furthermore the locale fell within the area of influence of two very powerful fur trading interests, Pratte, Choteau & Company (formerly the Western Department of the American Fur Company and still known as the American Fur Company) out of Fort William (Fort Laramie) to the north and the Bent, St. Vrain & Company, out of Bent's Fort to the south. Both of these organizations were keen to protect what they considered their exclusive trading areas, and to expand them if possible at the expense of any and all competitors.

Descriptions for each of these four forts can be found at the following links:

Fort Vasquez

Fort Lancaster

Fort Jackson

Fort George

The map below shows the location of the these four forts as well as Fort William to the north and Bent's Fort to the south. The map also shows the geopolitical divisions of the time. Note that the northern border of Mexico is defined by the Arkansas River.

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