Cove Fort

08/19/2024

Before Ira Hinckley’s arrival, the first settlers in the Cove Creek area were the family of English converts Charles and Eleanor Willden. They built a small home with a fence surrounding it that became a way station known as Fort Willden. The Willdens eventually abandoned their fort, but when the Cove Fort pioneers came to the area, they used Fort Willden as part of their larger complex for years, continuing a legacy of faith and settlement.

Read more about the timeline of Cove Fort here: https://history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/timeline/historic-sites/utah/cove-fort/1847-1890-time-line?lang=eng

06/26/2024

In the 1800s, Cove Fort was a bit like a modern-day bus stop!

Two stagecoaches stopped at Cove Fort each day—one coming north, the other going south. These coaches were large, heavy, and required six horses to pull them. When the coach stopped at the fort, the working horses were taken into the barn and replaced with fresh teams. This break offered the travelers time to rest and enjoy Cove Fort before continuing their journey.

Share some of your favorite memories of stopping at Cove Fort in the comments!

05/10/2024

The room known as the “best room” in Cove Fort was where Brigham Young stayed when he stopped at Cove Fort for an overnight stay. Because Brigham Young was always referred to as “Brother Brigham” by Ira Hinckley, one of Ira’s young sons thought that Brigham Young was an uncle. This reflected the great love that the people of Cove Fort had for the prophet Brigham Young.

Visit Cove Fort: https://www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/learn/locations/cove-fort?lang=eng

03/19/2024

While Cove Fort had been built to withstand outside attacks, it was never needed. Those who lived in the region were committed to peace. The Pahvant Indians who lived nearby Cove Fort were led by a peaceful leader, Chief Kanosh. Kanosh was a friend to those who lived in the Cove Creek area and was responsible for resolving conflicts between Latter-day Saint pioneers and Native Americans. The Hinckleys also worked to have good relationships with their neighbors. Alonzo Hinckley said of maintaining peace, “We were taught to feed the Indian rather than fight him. … Always we maintained the most friendly relations with our [Native American] brother.”

Read more about Cove Fort here: https://history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/landing/historic-sites/utah/cove-fort?lang=eng

03/12/2024