Your Museum Trail of Southern Colorado
  • Home
  • Museums
    • Conejos County Museum
    • Creede Historical Society Museum
    • Creede Underground Mining Museum
    • Crestone Historical Museum
    • Francisco Fort Museum
    • Friends of 169
    • Fort Garland Museum
    • Hazard House Museum
    • Hinsdale County Museum
    • Homelake Veterans' History Museum
    • Huerfano Heritage Center
    • Jack Dempsey Museum
    • Luther Bean Museum
    • Monte Vista Historical Society Museum >
      • Monte Vista Oral Histories
      • Monte Vista Historical Walking and Driving Tour
    • Museum of Friends
    • Old Spanish Trail - La Vereda de Norte Chapter
    • Rio Grande County Museum
    • Ryan Geology Museum
    • Saguache County Museum
    • Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center >
      • Dia de Los Muertos
      • Morada
      • Sacred Circle Tour
      • Mariachi San Luis
      • Francisco de Coronado
      • San Luis Flour Mill Grinding Stone
    • San Luis Valley Museum
    • Sanford Museum
    • Transportation of the West Museum
    • Orient Land Trust and Museum
  • Heritage
    • ColoradoStargazing
    • Six Journeys
    • Introducing the Valley
    • Natural Wonders
    • In the Steps of Pioneers
    • Ring of Gold
    • Life in a High Desert Valley
    • The Creative Spirit
    • Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway
    • Ute Tribe
  • Research
    • Genealogy
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
  • Things To Do
    • Itineraries >
      • Murals of Conejos County
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Short Walks-Long Views
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Best in Class
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Leaf Peeping in Southern Colorado
    • Photography/Photographers
    • Videos
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Fort Massachusetts:  1852

Picture
Colorado's First Fort and First Weather Station --

Fort Massachusetts was officially established on June 22, 1852.  Built on the west bank of Ute (Utah) Creek, its primary function was to protect travelers and settlers in the San Luis Valley (then part of the New Mexico Territory) from Indian attack.

In 1853 the explorer John W. Gunnison and his party stopped at Fort Massachusetts, as did an expedition to California under the command of Lt. E.F. Beale.  Gwinn Harris Heap, who was with the Beale group, described the fort as "a well-built stockade of pine logs, ten feet in height, and enclosing very comfortable quarters for one hundred and fifty men."

Following the Christmas massacre at Fort Pueblo in 1854, troops assembled at Fort Massachusetts for a campaign against the Indians who were responsible.  After six months the Mohuache Utes and their allies, the Jicarilla Apaches, were decisively beaten, and they ceded their lands in the San Luis Valley.

Within a few years after its establishment, it became apparent that the poorly chosen swampy location was unsuitable for the fort's operations, and in the latter part of 1858 the troops were removed to Fort Garland, a new adobe post that had been constructed some six miles to the south.

The site is actively being excavated by the Adams State University - Fort Massachusett's Field School by Dr. Richard Goddard.

    Enter your email address.
Submit
Jack Dempsey Museum
Home  |  Museums  |  Research  |  Calendar  |  Support
Exhibits  |  Videos  |  News  |  About Us  |  Contact Us

Copyright 2020, Museums of the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado, All Rights Reserved