Francisco Fort is located 16 miles from Walsenburg in the small art oriented community of La Veta. La Veta sits at an elevation of 7,037' and has a population of approximately 800. It has a downtown strip, a few blocks long, filled with galleries.
Amongst the galleries, but sitting back from the sidewalk along Main Street, is the entrance to Fort Francisco. Fort Francisco isn't surrounded by expansive parade grounds, so it can be easy to miss. The fort turned 150 years old this year! From the log cabin office/gift shop you will enter directly into the barracks complex.
These are the first two display rooms you'll see. The exhibits throughout the fort are exceptional!
This is the inner plaza. The huge Cottonwood tree that the men are admiring is said to have been planted in 1878 by Colonel Francisco.
Enjoy your tour!
This is a peek inside an original 1862 adobe wall of the fort.
You enter the center of this enclosed porch from the plaza.
This area is set-up as living quarters, such as Colonel Francisco may have lived in.
Colonel Francisco's portrait is center.
This is the 1876 Ritter School.
This is the blacksmith shop.
This is an 1880 saloon.
We tried our hand at Faro, but couldn't quite figure out a strategy.
I'm always impressed with the ornate woodwork in bars of the 1800s.
This is an example of a cabinet that might be found in a barbershop.
This is a display of 1905 medical supplies.
This is a 1930's threshing machine. We hope you enjoyed your tour!
