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| Landmark #6 | Millard County | Visited: December 24, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The refurbished fort of Ira N. Hinckley! |
| What makes it historical? | THE PLAQUE SAYS: Completed April 12, 1867, by direction of Brigham Young, with L.D.S. church funds, as a travelers waystation and refuge from Indians. Ira N. Hinckley built and maintained it as a hostelry and residence until 1877. A well within the fort provided culinary water. Cove Creek supplied irrigation. One of its 12 original rooms was used as a telegraph station. Early in 1861, Charles Willden built 3 rooms and a dugout, known as Willden’s fort. This was a convenient campsite for President Young and other travelers.
OTHER TIDBITS: This fort was built to withstand attacks by Native Americans during the Blackhawk War, but it was never attacked, because Ira Hinckley made friends with Chief Kanosh of the Pahvant band of Utes! The only shots fired at the fort were from the Hinckley kids playing target practice with the doors! Here, I learned lots of neat things about pioneer life, like how mercury-made glass melts over time and is used to date a window pane! I learned about how a telegraph had to be re-forwarded every 40 miles, so just about everyone knew what was going on at the end of the line! Brigham Young stayed here and received a silk top hat from French diplomats; unfortunately, it was so small that he couldn’t wear it! Rather than insult the diplomats, he chose to carry it with him many places! The ladies here brought arts to their children with human hair! When they cut their hair, they used the clippings for needlepoint and made lovely embroidery with hair and flowers! Nothing went to waste here! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| How do I find it? | Listed Directions: At the confluence of I-15 and I-70 Cove Fort, UT 84713 Annotations: From Beaver: ~24mi (39km) — 0.4hrs |
| When should I go? | Cove Fort has free, docent-led tours from 8:00 AM until dusk (April until October) and 9:00 AM until dusk (October to April)! |
Our family often visited Cove Fort. From a child to an adult, this place was where we’d go and enjoy the beauty, the incredible history and the fantastic structure of this blessed site. I plan on visiting it soon again. Thank you to all who had a hand in building and preserving this Fort.
Hi Ruth! Thanks for your comment! I was really surprised at all the neat facts that the volunteer shared with me and Woodchuck when we visited. I hope you have a great visit next time!