Places, Earth
Fort Cove

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Cove Fort

In the fall of 1849, Brigham Young asked fifty men to explore the regions south of the Salt Lake Valley. The explorers, lead by Parley P. Pratt, passed through the Cove Creek area. On April 12, 1867, Brigham Young wrote a letter to Ira Hinckley requesting that he build and manage a Fort on Cove Creek near central Utah, a day's travel south of Fillmore and north of Beaver. On April 17, Ira left his home in Coalville, Utah, with his family to follow later. Water was scarce and this was intended to be a way station along the "Mormon Corridor." Between April and November 1867, quarrymen, stonemasons, and carpenter built the fort of black volcanic rock and dark limestone. The walls are on hundred feet long and eighteen feet high and although equipped with gun ports, they were not needed as Mr. Hinkley had good relations with the locals.

For more than twenty years, Cove Fort was an important and well used stop along the road and the fort provided needed services and rest to travelers. A blacksmith made or repaired what was needed, men tended to livestock, and travelers were able to eat and rest. As the need for the fort diminished, by 1890 the Church had leased out the fort and after the turn of the century, sold it to the Otto Kesler family.

In 1988, the Hinckley family purchased the fort from the Keslers and donated it to the Church as a historic site. The site was restored to its original condition and on May 21, 1994, Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Historic Cove Fort Complex. The fort contains 12 rooms, six on each side of a courtyard, that have been restored to what they would have been like between 1867-1877. This is the only fort built by the Latter-day Saints in the 1800's that still stands.

Cove Fort is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset except in bad weather.
Free picnic areas and rest rooms are provided.
Cove Fort is located near the intersection of I-70 and I-15-one mile north of exit 1 off I-70 and two miles south of Exit 135 off I-15.
(435) 438-5547.

The Hinckley cabin, beside the parking lot, is the introduction to the site.

Approaching entry from parking area.

Front gate.

Gate latch.

Top of wall.

Keystone with date, "Cove Creek Ranch Fort Erected 1867."

Courtyard.

Courtyard.

Courtyard.

Courtyard.

Chimney.

Chimney.

Roof.

Roof.

Looking at the west wall from the Blacksmith Shop.

Looking at the west wall from the Blacksmith Shop.

Blacksmith Shop.

Blacksmith Shop, interior.

Gun Port.

Gun Port.

Garden.

Garden.

Garden.

Garden.

Corner of fort and farmyard.

Farmyard.

Farmyard.

Hay crane.

The Barn is 60 feet square and was built of heavy timber and pegs. The barn was essential to the operation of the fort and sheltered both Hinckley and visitor livestock.

Cabin interior.

Cabin interior.

Millard County Main Page

This page last updated: Friday, 17-Apr-2009 08:43:25 EDT

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Places, Earth Fort Cove

Cove Fort

This page last updated: Friday, 17-Apr-2009 08:43:25 EDT

Places, Earth
Fort Cove