Mountain Men

The mountain men who traded at Bent's Fort usually lived in the mountains of northern New Mexico. They earned a living by trapping beaver and trading the beaver fur at the fort.

Pack Saddle, Wool Blanket, & Trap

The mountain men traded in their beaver pelts for things they needed for their survival in the mountains. They often traded for blankets, guns, traps, food and variety of other goods.

Beaver Pelt

The traders took the beaver pelts to the Eastern United States where beaver hats were made from the pelts. These were sold all over the world to wealthy men who usually wore them when they dressed up.

Continue the trail...