Utah Forts

American Forts: West

UTAH

Last Update: 06/JANUARY/2007

Compiled by Phil and Pete Payette - Š2007 American Forts Network

Fort Grouse Creek
(1878), Grouse Creek
A Mormon settlers' log fort.

Camp Cedar Swamps
(1863), near Promontory
A temporary camp of CA Cavalry on the northeast shore of Great Salt Lake.

Fort Malad
(1855 - 1858), Washakie
A Mormon settlers' adobe fort enclosing log houses on the east-side of the Malad River across from town.

Camp Relief
(1864), Webster Junction
A CA Cavalry post located east of Lewiston.

Fort Richmond
(1859 - unknown), Richmond
A Mormon settlers' log fort.

Smithfield Fort
(1860 - 1862), Smithfield
A Mormon settlers' palisaded settlement for 70 families.

Fort Logan
(1859 - unknown), Logan
A Mormon settlers' palisaded log fort.

Camp at Bear River
(1859), Bear River City
A temporary Federal post.

Fort Bear River
(1867 - unknown), Bear River City
A Mormon settlers' palisaded 10-acre fort enclosing several log houses.

Fort (William) Davis
(1851 - 1852), Brigham City
A Mormon settlers' fort. Later called Old Fort after Call's Fort was built.

Call's Fort
(1853 - unknown), Brigham City
A Mormon settlers' fort. It was not palisaded.

Camp Defiance
(1832), unknown location
A Rocky Mountain Fur Co. trading post located somewhere on the mythical "waters of the Bonaventura" as mentioned by William Sublette.

Fort Buenaventura (State Park)
(1846 - 1852), Ogden
Originally a trading post called Miles Goodyear's Fort. The Mormons bought the post in 1847 for $1950. In 1850 a flood wrecked the fort so it was moved southeast and renamed Capt. James Brown's Fort. It was the first permanent white settlement in the state. The current fort is a reconstruction. Goodyear's original cabin was moved into the State Relief Society Building in Tabernacle Park. Admission fee.

Erastus Bingham's Fort
(1853 - unknnown), Ogden
A Mormon settlers' adobe and rock fort. Although it was ordered to be abandoned in 1855, the fort remained occupied for several years. Located north of Second Street, west of Washington Blvd.

Lorin Farr's Fort
(1850 - 1853), Ogden
A Mormon settlers' five-acre log fort, about one block north of the river.

Mound Fort
(1853 - unknown), Ogden
A Mormon settlers' fort located around a natural clay mound, in the vicinity of today's Washington Ave. and 12th Street. Called Ogden Stockade in 1854 with the addition of adobe walls, it was never actually completed.

Fort Kingston
(1859), Ogden
Also called Fort Kingdon. Stronghold of Joseph Morris who tried to reform or split the Mormon Church. The Mormon Militia attacked the fort and killed Morris and several of his followers.

Ogden Station
(1878), Ogden
A Federal post.

Kaysville Fort
(1854 - 1858), Kaysville
Built by Mormon settlers. It was never completed and never actually used.

Farmington Stockade
(1854 - unknown), Farmington
A palisade was erected around this Mormon settlement.

Narrows Breastworks
(1857 - 1858), near Echo
Stone breastworks were built by Mormon pioneers along the narrow Echo Canyon gorge to thwart a potential Federal invasion to supress a rumored Mormon rebellion. The works still remain.

Camp in Echo Canyon
(1859), near Echo
A temporary Federal encampment. Exact location undetermined.

Rock Fort
(Rockport State Park)
(1860 - unknown), Wanship
A Mormon settlers' stone fort. Ruins still exist.

Fort Salt Lake City
(1847 - unknnown), Salt Lake City
Mormon settlers built this log and adobe fort which is actually a combination of two forts, North Fort at Pioneer Park, and South Fort.

Salt Lake City Post
(1865 - 1866), Salt Lake City
This CA Infantry post specifically guarded the Territorial capital.

Fort Douglas (U.S. Military Reservaton)
(1862 - present), Salt Lake City
Built by CA Volunteers and named Camp Douglas. Rebuilt largely with stone beginning in 1876, and renamed in 1878. It protected trails from Indian raiders, and it allowed the Army to keep an eye on the Mormons. In 1901 the post was designated a permanent reservation. In 1898 during the Spanish-American War, the Army Regulars were withdrawn for overseas duty. State troops were then mobilized and trained at the post. One of the training camps was known as Camp Kent. The post was used as a Regular Army mobilization center and training camp during the two World Wars, and was also used to house German POW's during WWII. The Military Museum is in the Quartermaster Victoria Infantry Barracks (1875), and is operated by the U.S. Army Center of Military History. Many of the original buildings remain. Much of the original land has been given to the University of Utah since 1979.

Camp Murray
(1885), Murray
A Federal camp of instruction.

Union Fort
(1853 - 1870's ?), Union
A Mormon settlers' town fort. The adobe walls were 12 feet high, six feet thick at the base, with numerous gun portholes. Provided protection for 23 families within the compound. Remains still existed until the 1990's when bulldozed for development. Site located about 7200 South Street and 1300 East Street.
(info courtesy of George Hill)

Camp Bingham Creek
(1864), Bingham Canyon
A California Volunteers encampment. Previously a logging camp of Mormon pioneers. Site on Bingham Creek south of Midvale.

Fort Herriman
(1854 - 1858), Herriman
A Mormon settlers' two-acre adobe fort located near Riverton.

Willow Fort
(1850's), Draper
A Mormon settlers' fort at South Willow, now a part of Draper. Site is now a town park with a monument.
(info courtesy of Alan Kinckiner)

Alpine Fort
(1850's), Alpine
A Mormon settlers' fort. A monument is in town.
(info courtesy of George Hill)

Camp Williams (State Military Reservation)
(1914 - present), Camp Williams
A UT National Guard summer training area. Became a permanent post in 1926 and was formally named in 1928. Federalized in 1941 and became a subpost of Fort Douglas for WWII training purposes. Returned to state control in 1944, with state guard training resuming in 1947. Still in use.

Camp Conness
(1855 - 1869), Rush Valley
An encampment of CA Volunteers located near St. John. Also called Camp Rush Valley in 1859. This was also a grazing area for horses from Fort Douglas and Camp Floyd.

Cedar Fort
(1855 - unknown), Cedar Fort
A Mormon settlers' stone fort. Raided by soldiers from Camp Floyd in 1858 in revenge of the killing of a sergeant. Mostly destroyed in the 1970's, however portions of the west and south adobe walls still remain.
(additional info courtesy of George Hill)

Camp Floyd
(Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park)
(1858 - 1862), Fairfield
This post had the largest Federal troop concentration in the U.S. at the time. The troops were sent here to suppress a Mormon rebellion that never came. They took over a Mormon settlers' rock fort that was already here, Fairfield Fort (1856 - 1858). It was renamed Fort Crittenden in 1861 before it was abandoned. The Overland Mail Company bought much of the post in 1862 before it was temporarily re-occupied by the Army. Replaced by Camp Douglas. The camp once had 400 buildings. Only the cemetery and commissary remain. Admission fee.

Camp Battle Creek
(1849), Pleasant Grove
An armed camp established by Mormon settlers' prior to the creation of the settlement.

Camp Timpanagos
(1859), near Provo
A temporary Federal post on the Timpanagos River about eight miles from town.

Fort (William) Ashley
(1825 - 1828), Provo
An independent fur trading post. In 1826 it was armed with one cannon before the post was sold to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

Fort Utah
(1849 - unknown), Provo
A Mormon settlers' fort originally called Fort Provo, it had only one cannon for its defense. A second fort, nicknamed Fort Sowiette, was built at the same site in 1853. A replica of the first fort is on the original site at Sowiette Park. Tours by appointment only. Original cabins from the second fort are at North Park Museum in Pioneer Memorial Park.

Camp Dodge
(1865 - 1866), Provo
A garrison post of Nevada Volunteers.

Camp Rawlins
(1870 - 1871), Provo
A temporary Federal tent camp in town. A permanent site for Fort Rawlins was selected two miles east of town on the north-bank of the Timpanogos River, but was never built.

Santaquin Fort
(1856 - unknown), Santaquin
A fort was built when Mormon settlers began the second settlement here, originally called Summit Creek.

Camp Shunk
(1858), near Vernon
A temporary Federal post located about 25 miles southwest of Camp Floyd.

Canyon Station Post
(1864), near Goshute
A fortified Pony Express station northeast of town, 12 miles from Deep Creek Station.

Deep Creek Station Camp
(1864), Ibapah
CA Volunteers garrisoned this Pony Express and Overland Stage station.

Fort Robidoux (1) (Monument)
(1832 - 1834), Ouray
An adobe-walled trading post located across the White River from town. Also known as Antoine Robidoux' Fort (1). Kit Carson established winter quarters here in 1833 - 1834, known as Fort Kit Carson. The monument is on US 40.

Fort Thornburgh
(1881 - 1884), Ouray, Vernal
A Federal post established after the Ute Black Hawk War. Site originally located at the junction of the White and Green Rivers. Moved northeast 35 miles in 1882 to Ashley Creek and renamed New Fort Thornburgh. Soldiers lived in tents until 1883 when the first adobe buildings were built, but squatters had settled the area by then, and the government could not obtain clear title to the land, so the fort was abandoned.

Fort Duchesne
(Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation)
(1886 - 1910), Fort Duchesne
A Federal fort established by the famed "Buffalo Soldiers" to control the Uncompahgre and White River Utes. Also spelled Du Chesne. Later became the Indian Agency for the reservation. Located here is the Ute Tribal Museum.

Fort Uintah
(1834 ? - 1844), Whiterocks
A trading post more commonly called Fort Wintey. It was also known as Antoine Robidoux' Fort (2), or Fort Robidoux (2). Destroyed by Ute Indians in 1844.

Fort Nephi
(1851 - unknown), Nephi
A fortified Mormon town. The stone and adobe walls were 12-feet high and surrounded by a moat. Many of the original buildings remain in town.

Camp Crossman
(1858), near Nephi
A temporary Federal post located six miles west of town. Also referred to as Fort Crossman.

Camp Eastman
(1859), near Levan ?
A Federal encampment located on Chicken Creek 14 miles south of Nephi. Observed Ute Indian movements and protected government herds.

Camp Fountain Green
(1866), Fountain Green
A temporary Mormon Militia camp during the Ute Blackhawk War.

Moroni Fort
(1865 - unknnown), Moroni
A Mormon settlers' stockaded adobe fort which included a stone observation tower.

Camp Clarke
(1859), San Pete Valley
A temporary Federal post. Exact location undetermined.

Camp Paige
(1859), San Pete Valley
A temporary Federal post south of Camp Clarke. Exact location undetermined.

Dewey's Camp
(1866), near Fairview
A Mormon Militia encampment.

Mount Pleasant Fort
(1859 - unknown), Mount Pleasant
A Mormon settlers' five-acre adobe fort encompassing today's Tithing Yard, with a bastion or watchtower in one corner. A second fort directly north was added in 1865 to help protect the livestock.

Spring City Fort
(1853 - unknown), Spring City
A Mormon settlers' log fort. Attacked by Indians in 1853, the settlers sought refuge at Fort Manti.

Fort Ephraim
(1854 - unknown), Ephraim
A Mormon settlers' one and one-half acre adobe fort. One year later a 17-acre adobe fort was built which completely enclosed the original fort. At that time the inner fort was called Little Fort and the outer fort called Large Fort.

Camp George
(1866), Ephraim
A Nevada Volunteer post.

Fort Manti
(Palisade State Park)
(1854 - unknown), Manti
A Mormon settlers' 50-acre stone and adobe fort that absorbed and replaced the Little Stone Fort built in 1852.

Fort Gunnison
(1850's - 1860's), Gunnison
A Mormon settlers' adobe fort. A stone bastion was built in 1867, but the new stone walls were not completed

Camp Pace
(1867), Gunnison
A Mormon Militia post at Fort Gunnison.

Fort Deseret (State Park)
(1866 - unknown), Deseret
A Mormon settlers' 550-foot square adobe fort, completed in only 10 days. Some of the adobe walls still stand.

Fort Buttermilk
(1851 - unknown), Holden
A Mormon settlers' fort.

Camp near Fillmore City
(1858), Fillmore
A temporary Federal post to protect the Territorial capital.

Cove Fort
(1867 - unknown), Cove Fort
First located here was Charles Willden's Fort in 1860, a simple dugout with three rooms. It was sold to the Mormons in 1866. The new 100-foot square enclosure was built of black lava rock, with walls 18 feet high and four feet thick. The fort was used to guard the stage and telegraph lines. The fort was later sold and was once used as a tourist camp.

Camp Sevier
(1859), Sevier
A temporary Federal post.

Fort Cameron
(1872 - 1883), Beaver
A Federal post located on the north-side of the Beaver River, two miles east of town. First known as Camp Beaver, Post of Beaver Canyon, and Post near Beaver City, then renamed in 1874. Built of lava stone in a 700- by 620-foot rectangle. Sold to the Mormons and became an educational center. Two original buildings remain and the rest of the site is now used for recreation.

Panguitch Fort
(1865 - 1868), Panguitch
A Mormon settlers' fort was once here.

Fort Johnson
(unknown dates), Enoch
A Mormon settlers' fort.

Fort Walker
(1852 - unknown), near Cedar City
A Mormon settlers' fort renamed Fort Hamilton in 1869. Located five miles south of town. The town was named Sidon from 1857 to 1869, and possibly the fort was also named Sidon Fort during that time.

Fort Harmony
(1852 - 1862), New Harmony
A Mormon settlers' fort on Ash Creek that was abandoned shortly after being built. It was re-established two years later a few miles further upstream, but a rainstorm flooded out the town in 1862. The settlers then established the new town at the head of Ash Creek, known as Fort New Harmony (1863 - unknown).

Fort Pierce
(1866 - unknown), near St. George
A Mormon settlers' fort during the Ute Black Hawk War. Also spelled Pearce. The site is located 12 miles from town.

Fort Clara
(1855 - unknown), Santa Clara
A Mormon settlers' 100-foot square adobe fort, also called Fort Santa Clara.

Fort Berryville
(1864 - unknown), Glendale
A Mormon settlers' log fort. The town was later renamed.

Kanab Fort
(1865 - 1870), Kanab
A Mormon settlers' 112-foot square log stockade fort with stone buildings. It was partially destroyed in an accidental explosion.

Fort Meeks
(1869 - 1870), Old Paria
A Mormon settler's stone house was once here, located about 40 miles northeast of Kanab. The Mormon Militia built a stone fort next to it to protect the area from Ute Indians. The town's name was originally spelled Pahreah.

Fort Wah-Wiep
(1869 - 1870), near Big Water
A Mormon Militia stone fort was once located north of Lee's Ferry, Arizona. Also spelled Wahweep.

Fort Montezuma
(1879 - unknown), Montezuma Creek
A stone fort erected by Mormon settlers. A trading post was built later (see entry below).

Navajo Reservation Trading Posts
(unknown dates), various locations
Piute Farms (near San Juan River NW of Gouldings), Navajo Mountain (on state line SE of Rainbow Bridge Nat. Mon.), Oljato (on state line east of Gouldings), Goulding (at Gouldings), Montezuma Creek (at Montezuma Creek), and Hatch (NE of Montezuma Creek).

Fort Moqui
(Glen Canyon National Recreation Area)
(1100's), near Hite
A 12th-century Anasazi stone ruin located along the eastern bank of the Colorado River, about 12-15 miles south of town, west of the old townsite of White Canyon. Submerged under Lake Powell since 1963, the ruins were uncovered by a severe drought in March 2005. About 40-50 miles to the south, below Warm Springs Canyon, is Defiance House, a 13th-century Anasazi stone structure.

Fort Moab
(1851 - 1855), Moab
A Mormon settlers' stone fort. Abandoned after repeated Indian attacks. The area wasn't resettled for another 20 years.

NEED MORE INFO: Undetermined locations for Federal Army camps: Camp on Birch Creek (1859); Camp on Lolos Creek (1860); Camp Porter (1859); Camp Tyler (1859).
Towns: Garrison in Millard County on the Nevada border.