Fort Massachusetts (4)

Fort Massachusetts (4) (1852-1858) - First established in 1852 by Major George A.H. Blake, 1st U.S. Dragoons, in Costilla County, Colorado. Abandoned in 1858.

Fort Massachusetts (4) History

Established 22 Jun 1852 by Major George A.H. Blake, 1st U.S. Dragoons, along Ute Creek at the base of Blanca Peak in Costilla County, Colorado. The location was in the New Mexico Territory at the time it was occupied. The fort was to protect settlers and travelers coming over the La Veta pass from hostile Ute and Jicarilla Apache Indians.

The post was constructed of vertical chinked logs enclosing a compound about 270 feet by 320 feet and could house up to 150 men comfortably. During the winter of 1855-1856 the garrison suffered sub-zero temperatures and scurvy. The U.S. Army concluded a 25 year lease for a better location six miles to the south on 17 Jul 1856 and began the construction of Fort Garland.

Fort Massacbusetts was abandoned 24 Jun 1858 on the completion of Fort Garland. The garrison, under the command of Captain Thomas Duncan, 3rd U.S. Infantry, was relocated to Fort Garland on that day.

Current Status

Private property in Costilla County, Colorado

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: Along Ute Creek, Costilla County, Colorado. Map point is approximate.

Maps & Images

Lat: 37.5088152 Long: -105.3923821

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: approximately 8400'

Sources:

Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 110-111
Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 44-45

Links:

North American Forts - Fort Massachusetts

Visited: No