Bents Fort - Public domain scenic drawing

Drawing shows Bent's Fort on a plateau above the Arkansas River in eastern Colorado, near present-day Prowers. Cultivated trees stand to the right of the fort. William Bent erected a new establishment on the Arkansas in 1853. This fort was about thirty miles east of Bent's old fort, by then in ruins. Jenks reached the fort on May 2nd. Many travelers of 1859 have commented on the new fort. Jenks wrote in his diary, "This morning started on ahead of teams and reached the fort about 10 o'clock. This fort is 545 miles from Kansas City. We have been 32 days traveling time in coming this distance."
Signed lower right: DAJ.
Purchase, Ed Cox Americana fund (Madison Council), 2000 (DLC/PP-2001:050.5)