| Welcome to the City of Delta |
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Fort Uncompahgre History |
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| Fort Uncompahgre was
established as a fur trading post in 1828 by Antoine Robidoux, near
the present site of Delta, Colorado.
The Fort has come to life again as the City of Delta funds this unique museum that is located at the entrance to the Confluence Park complex. Antoine Robidoux was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1794 to one of the most influential families in the history of the west. As a young man, Antoine became involved in the fur trade and established Fort Uncompahgre a short distance from the confluence of the rivers, Uncompahgre and Blue or Eagle tail, (now the Gunnison river). Little has been written about Fort Uncompahgre, but one brief description of the fort states "Fort Uncompahgre consists of a few log buildings enclosed in a quadrangle of pickets." Furs were brought to the fort and traded for goods that had been brought in form both the United States and Mexico. The Fort remained in operation until September 1844, when most of the occupants were killed in an attack by the Ute Indians, over a disagreement that took place in Santa Fe. When you visit Fort Uncompahgre you will literally walk back into the past. Authentic trade goods and piles of furs and animal hides fill several of the rooms. Every aspect is maintained as authentically as possible. You will see the Trade Room where Indians and trappers exchanged furs for guns, knives, beads and other prized trade goods. Further history may be acquired at the Fort during your experience or you can purchase the book "Antoine Robidoux" written by the curator Ken Reyher.
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