Lancaster Lupton's Trade Fort
In 1836, Lancaster Lupton, a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Dragoons began building a trade fort that became a competitor to the mighty Bent and St Vrain Fur Company for the fur and buffalo hide trade with the plains tribes.
At a glance
- In operation
- 1836-1844, as Fort Lancaster
- Rebuilt
- Reconstruction began in 2003. Completed and dedicated in 2011.
- Inside
- Blacksmith and carpenter shops
- Living quarters, kitchen and food preparation rooms
- Trade rooms and cantina
- Storage room with historic artifacts
- Open
- The Historic Park is open the first & third weekend of each month from May to October.
The fort
While the original fort that Lancaster Lupton built has long been gone, a dedicated group of individuals began in 2003 to reconstruct the fort. The reconstructed Fort Lancaster, as it was known in its original period of operation, 1836-1844, was completed and dedicated in 2011.
A visit to Lancaster Lupton's trade fort is an experience of going back in time to when an individual with a vision and entrepreneurial spirit took risks to establish a trade enterprise on the wild prairie along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Lancaster Lupton, formally a lieutenant in the U.S. Dragoons and a West Point graduate, first came to the area with a military expedition in 1835. By 1836 Lupton had resigned his commission and was bringing skilled craftsman and labor from the Mexican village of Taos north to build his trade fort. By 1837-38 he was trading with the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes. Come see his trade fort and walk through the inner plaza to visit the blacksmith and carpenter shops, living quarters, kitchen and food preparation rooms, trade rooms, cantina and storage room with historic artifacts.
A visit to Lancaster Lupton's trade fort is an experience of going back in time.
The dedication
The following video shows scenes from the dedication ceremony at the fort.
