Francisco Fort Museum: La Veta grew up around Colorado's last original adobe fort

In 1862, Colonel John M. Francisco and his business partner Henry Daigre built a thick-walled adobe trading post at the foot of the Spanish Peaks. The town of La Veta then grew up around it, and that fort is still here. It is the last original adobe fort left standing in Colorado, and today it holds the Francisco Fort Museum.

What makes one stop worth your morning is how much it ties together. Long before the fort, this country was crossed by Ute, Jicarilla Apache, and Comanche people; then came Hispano settlers, ranchers, and the coal miners who later filled Huerfano County. The museum’s eight historic buildings hold artifacts from those layers side by side, so you can stand in one courtyard and read the whole arc. The Huerfano County Historical Society has cared for the site since 1958, and the courtyard and fort were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

It is seasonal, so plan ahead: the museum lists Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., roughly late May through early September, with off-season tours by appointment. The town also gathers here for Francisco Fort Day, a free heritage day with music, demonstrations, and food.

Confirm current days, hours, and event dates at the museum’s official site, franciscofort.org.