Johnson's Fort

This place began as a spot to keep an eye on the cattle. In 1851 Joel H. Johnson, exploring the area, was so taken with the springs a quarter-mile east that he got permission to build a house and corral there and tend the livestock of Iron County's settlers. In 1854 Brigham Young sent more families and had them raise a fort, named for Johnson, who lived inside it — a square of clay walls nine feet high and thick as a man is wide, with log gates and a well dug at the center. Apple orchards grew within.

What the plaque says

During the summer of 1851, a small company of men was exploring this area and discovered the springs on the bench one-fourth mile to the east. Joel H. Johnson was so impressed with the spot, that he sought and received permission from George A. Smith to build a house and corral at the springs and care for the cattle belonging to the settlers of Iron County. In 1854, Brigham Young called other families to assist in this endeavor and to help build a fort for protection. The fort was named after Johnson who built his home inside the fort. The fort was 10 rods square (165' x 165'). The 9' high walls, made of clay, were 2 1/2' thick at the bottom and 18" thick at the top. There was a large gate made of logs on the north side and a smaller gate on the south. For drinking water a well was dug in the center of the fort. Apple orchards and vegetable gardens were planted. A large two-story building, called the Bastion, was built with portholes for defense. Some of the cottonwood trees planted near the fort, now enormous, survive to this day. In 1881, the fort became a mail station between Milford and Silver Reef. Ownership of the fort has changed many times. It was always a favorite gathering place for holiday celebrations like the 4th and 24th of July and May Day. Some remains of the fort are visible one-half mile north of this marker.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs — 6.4 mi
  An ancient rock art gallery hidden in a desert canyon
• Brian Head — 11 mi
  Utah's highest town — a ski-and-bike base camp at the top of Parowan Canyon
• Cedar Breaks National Monument — 14 mi
  A 2,000-foot-deep amphitheater of vivid orange and red rock
• Panguitch Lake — 22 mi
  A Blue Ribbon trout lake at 8,400 feet on the Patchwork Parkway

More markers nearby

• Enoch Schoolhouse & Tithing Office — 0.3 mi
• Old Spanish Trail — 0.4 mi
• Sylvanus Cyrus Hulet — 5.6 mi
• Pioneer Cabin — 6.0 mi