Fur Trade in Colorado
Exploration, adventure, hardship, success, these are words that are interchangeable with the “taming” of the American West. They are also words that exemplify one of the lesser known, but greatest of “pioneer” industries that contributed significantly to forging and defining Colorado’s wild frontier. In this one-of-a-kind work, author William Butler, presents as much information as he could find about the fur trade in Colorado and provides readers a better-than-glimpse into a true precursor of our uniquely “western” way-of-life. Although information on Colorado trapping and trading is limited, Butler’s extensive research has melded scattered pieces into one solid source. This book also geographically organizes known and rumored Colorado trading posts, from Bent’s Fort to small previously hinted-at cabins, literally mapping the trade and its colorful and sometimes convoluted past. Adding depth to his fur trade picture, Butler includes material on the catching and skinning of animals, the preparation of skins, and the making of felt hats. This book provides a vivid look into the life of the trapper and trader, the dangers they faced, and the fortunes that a few lucky ones were able to amass. Butler also uses his role as an archeologist to present the generally never before seen floor plans of many of the posts and unknown drawings that are just now coming to light. Attention has also been given to the five of twenty-four trading posts that have been reconstructed. Rendezvous in Colorado are also covered, as well as shipping methods used to get the furs to various markets. This was a special life, at a notable time, in a special place, and The Fur Trade of Colorado will take you there. Whether you are a professional historian, avid reader, or just a person who loves a truly exciting book, plop down in your favorite reading chair and enjoy!
- Published
- 2012
- ISBN
- 978-1-93785-02-6
- Pages
- 248
- Place
- Colorado
- Listed at
- $19.95
Publication details from Open Library. The price shown is the last one on record and is historic, not a current offer.
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About this book
Fur Trade in Colorado looks at one of the lesser known pioneer industries of the state. The description says that exploration, adventure, hardship and success are words that go with the "taming" of the American West, and that the fur trade exemplifies them.
William B. Butler is the credited author. The description says the fur trade contributed significantly to forging and defining Colorado's wild frontier. It calls the book a one-of-a-kind work that gathers what is known about Colorado trapping and trading, maps known and rumored trading posts from Bent's Fort to small cabins, and covers the catching and skinning of animals, the making of felt hats, rendezvous and the shipping of furs to market. We list the book at 248 pages, and our record dates it 2012.
This is nonfiction history, and its subject is the trade itself, not one personality.
Who it is for
This book suits readers who know the gold and silver booms and want what came before them. People interested in the mountain men, trading posts and early Colorado will find the subject here. Students of the Western frontier can use it as a state-level view of a trade that ran across the continent.
The place and the period
The Colorado Encyclopedia article on the fur trade describes how it unfolded. After Mexico's independence in 1821 opened trade and open trapping, annual trading rendezvous began in 1824 under William Ashley. By the late 1820s and early 1830s several permanent posts were built, including Fort Uncompahgre in 1828 on the Gunnison River, Bent's Old Fort in 1834 on the Arkansas River, Fort Vasquez in 1835 on the South Platte River and Fort Davy Crockett in 1837 on the Green River.
The trade changed in the late 1830s, when trade in beaver pelts gave way to trade in bison robes. In the winter of 1838, Fort Jackson on the South Platte took in 2,920 bison robes and only 53 beaver pelts. By the mid-1840s the fur trade had diminished to a nominal level in Colorado.
The encyclopedia also cites a William Butler's overview of the fur trade in Colorado, which notes twenty-four posts established in the state between 1800 and 1850.
Ways to use this book
Following the posts on a road trip
A loop from the Front Range down to the Arkansas Valley can take in a reconstructed fort at each end. Start with the two sites above, confirm their visitor details online, and pick a route that suits the season.
Putting a place name in context
If a river, a fort or a town name on your map comes from the trade, the Colorado Encyclopedia overview is a quick way to learn when and why it was founded before you go deeper.
Teaching the trade to a class or group
The park and museum pages are written for general visitors, which makes them practical starting points for a lesson. Pair them with the /library/ shelves of Colorado history for a reading list.
Go deeper
The fur trade left forts, trails and place names across Colorado. These sites and articles describe the posts and traders of that era, and some of them can be visited.
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
A National Park Service site near La Junta. According to its website, the fort was built first for the bison robe trade, and the park offers a plaza, grounds and trails to walk.
Fort Vasquez
History Colorado's page on the adobe trading post that Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette opened on the South Platte in 1835. It says the fort operated for seven years.
Fur Trade in Colorado
A Colorado Encyclopedia overview of animal skin trading in the region, from Indigenous exchange systems to the nineteenth century trading era.
Good to know
Is this book fiction?
What does the book call the fur trade?
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