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<br />The Following summary of historic activity also relies <br />heavily on tier et al. (1987) and on f1ehls C198`1), which should <br />be consulted for a more detailed review. The historic periods <br />used Ear organization of this section are those used by Zier et <br />al; they are necessarily generalized, and the dates overlap in <br />some cases. <br />Exploration Period: ca. A.D. 15'i0 to 1860. European <br />exploration in the region can be said to begin with Coronado's <br />expedition ^f 15'10, although he apparently did not enter into any <br />part of what is now southeastern Colorado. Juan de lJlibarri's <br />expedition Erom New f1exico in 1706 may have been the First to <br />arrive in the vicinity of the project area; he is believed to <br />have explored the lower reaches of Fountain Creek, south ^F the <br />pro,]ect area. In 1806, Captain 2ebulon Pike explored the area. <br />Dodge, Fremont and Ruxton are among other early American <br />explorers of the region. <br />Fur ?rode Period: ca. A.D. 172`1 to 1850. French fur traders <br />may have been active along the Arkansas River as early as 1727 <br />and may have established a trading post near present-day Pueblo <br />in 1750 CLecompte 1978). American traders were travelling <br />overland t^ Santa Fe by 180`1, and the Santa Fe bail, one branch <br />of which Followed the Arkansas River to near Fountain Creek, was <br />opened in 1821-22. In 1830, William Bent began trading <br />activities near the mouth of Fountain Creek, and built Fort <br />William near there in 1832; his more Famous trading post, Bent's <br />Fort, was built Further down the Arkansas in 183`1. An American <br />trading post was established at the site ^E Pueblo in 18`12; and <br />in 1B't'3 a Farming settlement was established on Hacdscrabble <br />B <br />