Near here, on the banks of the Conejos River, Zebulon M. Pike built a log stockade in early February, 1807, and for the first time raised an American flag over what is now Colorado. Pike's trek of 1806-07 was the second official United States expedition into the lands of the Louisiana Purchase, acquired in 1803. Exploring the southern region of the new territory, Pike crossed into the San Luis Valley in January, 1807. On February 26, at the stockade, he and his men were arrested by Spanish dragoons for illegally entering New Spain. They were escorted to Santa Fe where they arrived on April 2, 1807, for questioning. They were detained for a few months in Chihuahua after which they were able to return to the States, crossing the Rio Grande River on June 1. The stockade was reconstructed by the Colorado Historical Society in 1952.
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