Fort Deseret
Encyclopedia
Fort Deseret was built in 1865 during the Utah Black Hawk War
to protect settlers in western Utah
from the attacks of local Utes
. Due to U.S. Army obligations in the Civil War
, local settlers were advised to take measures to defend themselves, resulting in the construction of the fort. The 550-foot square fort had 10-foot adobe
walls. It proved useful when Black Hawk appeared in 1866 at Deseret demanding cattle. The security provided by the fortification allowed a peaceful settlement to be negotiated. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on October 9, 1970.
Black Hawk War (Utah)
The Black Hawk War, or Black Hawk's War, from 1865 to 1872, is the name of the estimated 150 military engagement between Mormon settlers in the Four Corners region and members of the Ute, Paiute, Apache and Navajo tribes, led by a local Ute chief, Antonga Black Hawk...
to protect settlers in western Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
from the attacks of local Utes
Ute Tribe
The Ute are an American Indian people now living primarily in Utah and Colorado. There are three Ute tribal reservations: Uintah-Ouray in northeastern Utah ; Southern Ute in Colorado ; and Ute Mountain which primarily lies in Colorado, but extends to Utah and New Mexico . The name of the state of...
. Due to U.S. Army obligations in the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, local settlers were advised to take measures to defend themselves, resulting in the construction of the fort. The 550-foot square fort had 10-foot adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
walls. It proved useful when Black Hawk appeared in 1866 at Deseret demanding cattle. The security provided by the fortification allowed a peaceful settlement to be negotiated. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 9, 1970.
External links
- Fort Deseret at Great Basin Heritage Area Partnership