| In
1867, Brigham Young asked Ira Hinckley to build a fort at Cove
Creek. The Black Hawk War had not yet ended, and travelers
needed a safe stopping point and a refuge from the
elements. This spot, while geographically isolated, helped
to provide a safe location and stopping point for two stage
lines and countless travelers over the years.
The
walls are 18-18.5 ft. high, 100 feet long, and were made of
materials from the surrounding countryside. In this case,
volcanic rock and a dark limestone. The fort took approximately
seven months to build. It is located at an elevation slightly
over 6,000 ft.
Visitors
today are treated to free tours, and have a rare opportunity
to take a glimpse into the past. The fort has been restored
to show conditions much as they were in the 1860s and 1870s.
Visitors can also learn about early frontier life and how
the pioneers survived in this isolated region.
Location: Southern Utah, close to the junction of I-15 and I-70. It is approx.
2 miles south of Exit 135 (1-15) halfway
between Beaver and Fillmore.
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