Fort Garland and Christopher "Kit" Carson

4 miles down road is Fort Garland, a small community that was founded 1858 as an army post with the primary objective to keep the peace between the settlers and the American Indians who had lived in these areas for hundreds of years.  Being so close we had to visit the fort and museum.

Fort Garland

This photo is from 1929!

Rain all night and the threat of rain all day but we had sunshine around 11am and scooted down the street.  Walked the adobe structures which were well documented as to what happened in each area: the infantry barracks, guardhouse, sergeants quarters, parade grounds, theater, commandant's living quarters.  Five of the 22 original structures are still standing. Made of adobe, if the structure is not maintained every year, the building literally disintegrates from the elements of the weather.  Visiting this museum you had no doubt how the soldiers lived, what their conditions were like, how their day was regimented with details and structure. Officers often brought their wives and children to live at the fort.  Documented how the fort was involved in skirmishes during the Civil War, what happened after the war was over. The fort was in use by the army for over 25 years - a long time for a frontier fort. Once the Indians were removed to reservations and with the railroad coming through, the fort was abandoned in 1885 and quickly started to erode.  In 1929 the Colorado Historical Society assumed the structures and buildings and began extensive renovation and documenting of life on a frontier fort.

Sergeants quarters

Infantry's quarters

Christopher "Kit" Carson was the commandant of the fort for 18 months during 1866 - 1867. One of his many accomplishments in life besides being a scout, trader, rancher, Indian guide, mountain man - where his quietness and truthfulness earned him the nickname of American hero in the wilderness -  led to his commission as Army Brigadier General for Fort Garland.  I had read of his life as a mountain man, but did not know of the military portion of his life.  Another ah-hah happened during this visit - the Buffalo Soldiers that I learned about from Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona, were stationed for a time at this fort, helping with the protection of the settlers and the removal of the Indians to reservations.

The Carson's family main bedroom

Original buildings from 1858's Army era

We move on tomorrow towards Denver, Colorado.  Have had a heck of a time finding a campground. All are booked up.  Wanted to be near the southern part of Denver, near Centennial where family is located, but had to settle for a campground east of Denver, near Aurora.