Fort Wall of American Fork

American Fork's fort wall was a group assignment. When the settlement moved its cabins into a 37-acre enclosure in the fort years of the 1850s, the wall came in pieces: by 1855, each family had built a twelve-by-six-foot section across the rear of its own lot, clay poured into log forms and left to harden. A tax paid for the corral at the center. The monument marks the south wall's line, and its bell hung on the first city hall, tolling for meetings and for nine o'clock curfew.

What the plaque says

In 1852 Mormon Pioneers who had settled on the American Fork creek received orders to build a fort for protection from Indians. Most cabins were moved into an enclosure 80x74 rods, covering 37 acres. By 1855 each of the families built a wall 12x6 feet across the rear of his lot, using clay poured into log forms. A tax was levied to erect a corral in center of the fort with gates at corners. This monument marks the south wall. The bell was on the first city hall and tolled for all meetings and curfew at nine.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Lehi Roller Mills — 3.1 mi
  The flour mill from the movie Footloose
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument — 6.4 mi
  Three spectacularly decorated caves connected by hand-carved tunnels
• Thanksgiving Point — 6.6 mi
  A massive complex with dinosaur bones, gardens, and a curiosity museum
• Alpine Loop Summit — 9.5 mi
  The 8,000-foot high point of the Alpine Loop, face to face with Mount Timpanogos

More markers nearby

• First Free Public School (2) Markers — steps away
• American Fork Presbyterian Church — steps away
• Veterans Memorial Building — steps away
• First Flour Mill — 0.4 mi