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Fort Garland is situated in the San Luis Valley of Southwestern Colorado on a tract of land that was originally part of New Mexico. The Fort was established in August, 1858 by the United States Army to protect new settlements from random attacks by neighboring Native American Tribes. Fort Garland was built with adobe bricks made by the enlisted men of Company E, Regiment of Mounted Rifles and Company A, Third US Infantry.
Although there was not much military activity in Colorado at that time, there was considerable local unrest because of the large number of United States citizens migrating West in search of new land and mineral wealth who needed protection. This changed with the outbreak of the Civil War when soldiers at Fort Garland played an important role in the Battle of Glorietta Pass in New Mexico in 1862. The Confederacy hoped to capture the Colorado territory and take control of the riches provided by its gold mines but were routed by the Union armies in what would be the only major battle of the war in the West.
The end of the Civil War saw an even greater westward migration as veterans took advantage of federal land grants and Native Americans were displaced from lands given them by government treaties. The resulting unrest between the new settlers and the Utes required the strong military presence of Fort Garland to maintain peace.
The most famous commandant at Fort Garland was Kit Carson. He was a member of the 1st New Mexico Volunteers when the war ended and was sent to Fort Garland because he spoke fluent Spanish and several Indian dialects. He became a close friend of Chief Ouray and worked with him to initiate treaties that resolved most conflicts between settlers and the Utes.
The Ninth Cavalry of the famed Buffalo Soldiers was stationed at Fort Garland from 1876 to 1879. An all-black mounted unit, these soldiers helped mediate many conflicts between the Utes and white settlers moving into western Colorado.
By 1883, the US Army decided it no longer needed a military post at Fort Garland and it was closed in November of that year. The Fort served a multitude of purposes over the next 30 years. Around 1915, a local merchant named Billy Meyer purchased the Fort and made the commandant's quarters his home until his death in 1923. He willed the property and its buildings to his long-time housekeeper. She ultimately decided to dismantle the buildings and sell the materials.
A group of local citizens became interested in saving the Fort, but it was in great need of repairs and they had limited financing. They formed the Fort Garland Historical Fair Association and were able to raise enough money to buy the Fort, pay its taxes and perform minimal maintenance for the next 17 years. They finally convinced the Colorado State Historical Society to take it over in 1945. It took 5 more years to complete the necessary repairs, and the Fort was opened to the public in 1950.
FUN FACTS TO KNOW AND TELL 1) Fort Garland is the oldest and one of the best preserved 19th century Forts in Colorado.2) Christopher "Kit" Carson was the most famous Commandant at Fort Garland. 2) The Ninth Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers was stationed at Fort Garland from 1876 to 1879.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT 1) To learn about the Hispanic cultural tradition in the San Luis Valley visit the San Luis Museum & Cultural Center, Open Memorial Day to Labor Day 9:00am - 5:00pm.
2) Great Sand Dunes National Park, Highway 150, Mosco, CO
BEST TIMES TO VISIT August 3-8:"The Old Stories New Voices" Intercultural Camp
September 13-14: A Fandango weekend
BYWAYSLos Caminos Antiguos Scenic and History Byway
RELATED WEBSITES www.LosCaminos.comwww.ColoradoHistory.org
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