Spanish Fork Indian Farm Reservation

This ground holds one of the hardest chapters in Utah's history. In 1854, as settlement pressed the Ute off their land, the government set aside a twenty-square-mile 'Indian farm' here to teach them farming and contain them. In June 1865, federal officials gathered the Ute bands here and pressed them to give up their central-Utah homeland for the Uintah Basin. The old leader Sowiette asked why they could not share the land; told these were the best terms they would get, the chiefs signed. Congress never ratified the treaty, and the payments never came — but the removal did.

What the plaque says

The Spanish Fork Indian Farm Reservation Comprising 20 square miles and extending from this state highway and the Spanish Fork River to Utah Lake, was set apart in 1854 by Brigham Young, Utah Supt. of U.S. Indian Affairs. Joseph E. Beck was appointed farm superintendent. Dr. Garland Hurt succeeded Brigham Young in 1855, and erected a trading post 60 rods north of this spot. Col. O. H. Irish succeeded Dr. Hurt, and in 1865 made a treaty here with 15 Indian chiefs whereby the Indians surrendered their title and in 1867 moved to the Uintah Basin.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Thistle Landslide — 12 mi
  The ruins of a town destroyed by a massive landslide in 1983
• Payson Lakes — 13 mi
  Three alpine lakes in the pines, twelve miles up Payson Canyon
• Nebo Loop Summit — 17 mi
  The byway's 9,300-foot high point, with Utah Valley spread out below
• Bridal Veil Falls — 17 mi
  A dramatic double waterfall cascading 607 feet into Provo Canyon

More markers nearby

• Leland Historical Monument — 0.7 mi
• Old Fort — 2.2 mi
• Old Academy — 2.2 mi
• Lake Shore Fort — 2.6 mi