When the fur trade declined in the 1840s and 1850s, many trappers and traders turned to settling the land and raising livestock. One such settlement that can be visited today is Boggsville, located on the Purgatoire River two miles south of Las Animas.
Founded in 1862 by Thomas O. Boggs (a distant relative of Daniel Boone) and his wife Rumalda Luna Bent (Charles Bent’s stepdaughter), the settlement attracted a variety of key Western figures to call it home—including frontiersman Kit Carson, who moved there in 1867, one year before his death.
Boggsville blossomed from a few adobe buildings into a full-fledged community of 20 structures. During a 10-year period from 1863 to 1873, it was the center of commerce and agriculture for the region. This was in part because of its location along the Boggsville spur of the Santa Fe Trail and near a key military garrison that could offer protection. The town was comprised of a diverse group consisting of white settlers, Native Americans and New Mexicans. The community’s decline coincided with the arrival of the railroad at nearby Las Animas.
Through major funding from the Colorado State Historical Fund, two of Boggsville’s main structures have been restored and can be visited by the general public seven days a week from Memorial Day to October 1.
Did You Know?
The Prowers and Boggs houses are not only the last remaining structures on the site (and wonderfully preserved), but they are also considered two of the earliest documented examples of territorial architecture in the state.
Good to Know Before You Go:
Private tours of Boggsville are available by reservation. Contact the Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County at the phone numbers below.
Inquire about Boggsville’s three major annual events: “Boggsville Days,” “Santa Fe Trail Day” and a “Boggsville Christmas.” Dates are subject to change.
ADA Accessible:
Much of Boggsville is accessible to those with disabilities, but you should inquire ahead of time for a complete description of the area’s facilities.
Location:
Two miles south of Las Animas, CO on the Purgatoire River.
www.phsbc.info
(719) 384-8054, or (719) 456-1358 after April 29
From Memorial Day through October 1, Boggsville is open daily, 10 am–4 pm.
This project is partially funded by a State Historical Fund grant award from the Colorado Historical Society.
Colorado's Historic Sites
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