Near Panguitch in Garfield County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Historic Fort Sanford

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

1. Historic Fort Sanford Marker

Inscription. There is little evidence today that Fort Sanford once existed. A land survey indicates it stood approximately 1.5 miles to the south of this marker.

The Fort was built in 1866 to protect the settlers in Circleville and Panguitch during the Black Hawk Indian War and to prevent the Indians from stealing livestock. Fort Sanford also served as a supply depot for cavalry troops.

Fort Sanford was designed, built, and named by Major Silas Sanford Smith and his troops. It was constructed entirely of cedar (juniper) pickets that stood eight feet above the ground. A deep ditch at the base of the wall encompassed the entire Fort. The dimensions were 363 feet by 363 feet, or approximately three acres with "block houses."

Within just three months of completion, President Brigham Young directed the evacuation of smaller towns for greater protection. Most Panguitch residents moved to Parowan; Circleville settlers went to Beaver. With the evacuation of these two communities, the need for the Fort also ended. Eventually farmers would salvage the poles of the stockade to build houses, outbuildings, and fences.

Erected 2020

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by Cornelia Loyhova Camp Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 588.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 37° 56.503′ N, 112° 25.207′ W. Marker is near Panguitch, Utah, in Garfield County. It is on East Sandford Creek Road 0.1 miles east of U.S. 89. The marker is located along the county road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: E Sandford Crk Rd, Panguitch UT 84759, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country

and specifically in Color Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Historic Fort Sanford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Spanish National Historic Trail

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

2. Historic Fort Sanford Marker

(approx. 6.6 miles away); Kate Lublin Alexander Cabin (approx. 7½ miles away); Cowboy’s Smokehouse Café / The Historic Gem Theatre (approx. 8.2 miles away); Lee’s Indian Store / NAPA Auto Parts (approx. 8.2 miles away); A Modern Handcart Company / Garfield Memorial Foundation Thrift Store (approx. 8.2 miles away); The Original Kenny Ray’s Restaurant / Historic Panguitch Inn (approx. 8.2 miles away); Cowboy Collectibles / S&C Corral (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panguitch.

The east view from the Historic Fort Sanford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

3. The east view from the Historic Fort Sanford Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 10, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.