Bad news for Pagosa Springs

Posted
Drawing courtesy John M. Motter This line drawing of Fort Lewis was made by Army Engineer Lt. McCauley in December of 1878. The fort buildings including enlisted and officer’s quarters are above the river in the northwest corner of the drawing. The fort occupied most of Block 21 on the current town plat. Drawing courtesy John M. Motter
This line drawing of Fort Lewis was made by Army Engineer Lt. McCauley in December of 1878. The fort buildings including enlisted and officer’s quarters are above the river in the northwest corner of the drawing. The fort occupied most of Block 21 on the current town plat.[/caption]

When Lt. Col. R.E.A. Crofton passed through Pagosa Springs in August of 1880 with a battalion of infantry bound for the new location of Fort Lewis on the La Plata River, he carried with him bad news for the town of Pagosa Springs.

While stopped in Pagosa Springs, he gave orders to Capt. R. L. Torres of the 13th Infantry to remain with Company A for the purpose of “removing all the public stores, and dismantling and removing the public buildings to Mancos.”

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