Fruita in Wayne County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Mott Orchard

Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025

1. Mott Orchard Marker

Inscription. Orval Mott owned this orchard for only three years. He sold it in 1943 to a "desert lover" retiree and rock art student - Dean Brimhall - who built the house now standing to the west.

Homesteaded originally by Mormon stalwart Elijah Cutler Behunin in the 19th century, this land was sold in 1902 to Joseph and Mary Ann Cook, who, like the Behunins, had enormous families. Baby Willie Cook died in Fruita; earlier, the Cooks had lost three children in a week from diphtheria.

Aaron Holt owned this orchard from 1914 to 1939, and it prospered under his care.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 38° 17.275′ N, 111° 15.455′ W. Marker is in Fruita, Utah, in Wayne County. It is on Scenic Drive 0.4 miles east of Utah Road 24, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 147 Scenic Drive, Torrey UT 84775, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Community's Cornerstone (approx. half a mile away); The Giving Groves (approx. 0.6 miles away); It's Alive! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Silent Sentinels (approx. 0.6 miles away); Living Off the Land (approx. 0.6 miles away); Pendleton-Jorgenson-Gifford Barn Story (approx. 0.7 miles away); Exploring Scenic Drive (approx. 0.8 miles away); Signs of a Thriving People (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fruita.

The view of the Mott Orchard and Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025

2. The view of the Mott Orchard and Marker along the street

The view of the Mott Orchard, Brimhall House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025

3. The view of the Mott Orchard, Brimhall House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.