The Cove Fort Historical Site is located 2
miles south of Exit 135 off I-15 and one mile north
of Exit 1 off I-70. The fort was built in 1867
at the current site selected by Brigham Young
because of the proximity between Fillmore and
Beaver. The construction of the fort was
over-seen by Ira Hinckley. The fort provided safety,
shelter, water and livestock feed for people
traveling between the two communities. The
fort is square and is constructed of black volcanic
rock and limestone that was quarried from the nearby
mountains.
The walls are eighteen feet high and four
feet thick. There are two very large wooden doors at the east and
west side of the fort. Gun ports are also located throughout the
fort for protection from possible attacks, however our tour guide stated
the fort was never attacked during the time of its use for more than 20
years.
The fort contains
12 interior rooms, which provided sleeping quarters, a telegraph,
kitchen, and more. The fort became a regular stop for two
stagecoach lines and would feed and house up to 75 people at a
time. In the early 1890s, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints determined the fort was no longer required. The fort was
leased out and then sold outright. In 1989 the Hinckley family
purchased the fort and donated it back to the church. The fort was
restored by the church to the 1867 to 1877 period and re-opened as a
historic site. Today visitors can visit the fort and take part in a
guided tour. The fort is open daily from 8:00 A.M. to sunset except
in bad weather. Free picnic areas and restrooms are available.
