"Fort Deseret" Top 5 Page for this destination Utah Off The Beaten Path Tip by Segolily

Fort Deseret is the remains of an old adobe fort built to protect the settlers against Indian aggression. The Black Hawk war of 1865-67 was a difficult time for all involved. Many of the white settlements were abandoned, deaths on both sides were high, many of the forts around the state date from this time (Cove Fort, Fort Pierce are two others still extant).

Approval was given to build the fort and it was completed in 18 days by 98 men and women, digging trenches, gathering and adding straw for the adobe walls. The walls topped out at 10 feet, about 3 feet at the base. The fort was 550 ft square with entrances on all sides and two defensive towers on opposite corners. It was used mostly to protect the livestock which were a major target of Indian raiders. There is indication the settlers also retreated here once for protection as well.

Today the east wall remains in good shape due to some upkeep from interested parties. The rest of the walls are falling to the destruction of rain and are barely keeping the fort site intact. There is nothing much else to see. For those interested in the old west, in the white/indian conflicts or adobe buildings it might make an interesting detour.

South of Delta, Ut about 5 miles, on hwy 257.

Website: http://www.millardcounty.com/placestosee/oldfortdeseret.htm