Historic Cove Fort, a half-mile east of I-15 in southern Millard County, has more to offer visitors this year as a result of a restoration completed before the start of the tourist season.
Once a Mormon pioneer wilderness outpost in southwestern Utah, the fort was built in 1867 when the state was still a territory. It was later privately owned, but in recent years was acquired by the Historic Cove Fort Acquisition and Restoration Foundation.The foundation is directed by the descendants of pioneer Ira N. Hinckley, under whose direction Cove Fort was built. Following the restoration, it was dedicated in early May by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the first presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a grandson of the pioneer builder.
The structure is the only one of its kind in Utah that has walls still intact. They are 18 feet high and were built with volcanic rock and burned-lime mortar.
The fort's interior is 100-by-100-feet square, featuring small rooms on the sides and a central courtyard. It has been refurbished with furniture of the historic period.
Built primarily to protect travelers and telegraph and mail stations from Indians during the Black Hawk War, Cove Fort was never attacked.
Brigham Young assigned Ira Hinckley to take charge of the fort, calling it "the church Ranch at Cove Creek." The lack of an adequate water supply apparently prevented the area from developing as a community.
But early church leaders, territorial officers, miners, prospectors and emigrants availed themselves of the food, lodging and protection offered there.