"It won't be something you will stop and look at in 10 minutes," said Carvel Jackson of the newly restored Cove Fort.
The site will be dedicated Saturday, May 21, showing off the results of several years of restoration work."The barn is completed as well as a stockade corral, fencing and two cabins," said Jackson, who is serving as director and president of the unique Cove Fort Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Planting 135 apple trees, landscaping and picnic grounds make it a lovely place."
A slice of Utah history can be found at Cove Fort, and it will come to the forefront even more during the 11 a.m. program when President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency of the church, formally dedicates the facility.
A grandson of Ira Hinckley, who was called by Brigham Young to direct the fort's construction in 1867, President Hinckley also dedicated the site in 1992 after it was acquired by the Historic Cove Fort Acquisition and Restoration Foundation and donated to the church. The organization is made up of descendants of Ira Hinckley.
Cove Fort has not been one of Utah's prime tourist attractions, even though it is the only remaining fort from early state history that is still intact.
For years the fort stood unattended. Then private owners began charging a meager 25 cents to the few visitors who wanted to see the inside. Visitations have increased at a slow pace but could skyrocket now as a result of the renovation project, promotion and publicity.
"We hope to make it a living fort in the future," Jackson said.
The public is invited to help celebrate the completion of the fort's restoration at the dedicatory program. It is located about one-half mile north of I-70 and about one mile east of I-15 between Beaver and Fillmore.
Visitors for the dedication or those who want to view the fort and its surroundings at a later date should take the I-70 exit from I-15 and follow the signs to the fort. Those arriving from the east should travel westward on I-70 to the site.
Jackson emphasized that no lodging, dining facilities or other services are available at the site. They can be found near I-15 about 23 miles to the south at Beaver, 31 miles north at Fillmore or 35 miles east at Richfield off I-70.
The old fort was envisioned as a resting place that would provide protection from the Indians for people traveling between Salt Lake City and St. George and to protect the telegraph and mail stations at Cove Creek. Officials thought a settlement might develop, but that failed to materialize because of insufficient water.
Walls 4 feet thick at the base and 18 feet high were built with volcanic rock. The fort is 100 by 100 feet in size.
The interior has a central courtyard and rooms that have been refurbished with pioneer-era furniture. Visitors can walk up steps and stand and peer through holes at the surrounding countryside, as people did well over a century ago when the fort was in use.
Church members from Beaver to Fillmore were called to help construct the fort. Ironically, a similar situation prevails today in its operation as a tourist attraction.
Some 17 couples from the Beaver and Fillmore stakes are filling six-month service missions at the fort, Jackson said.
Cove Fort is open to the public daily.