Vernal in Uintah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Fort Thornburgh

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 27, 2025

1. Fort Thornburgh Marker

Inscription. Fort Thornburgh Military Reserve was located one half mile west and one mile north of this marker and named in honor of Major J. N. Thornburgh who was killed in the Meeker Massacre in 1879. During the summer of 1881 the military troops were established in Ashley Canyon for protection against Indians moving to Fort Thornburgh in December 1881. The fort was abandoned in 1884 and part of the supplies taken to Fort Bridger. In 1886 Fort Duchesne was established about ten miles south of the Whiterocks Indian School.

Erected 1941 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 72.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 40° 28.241′ N, 109° 34.616′ W. Marker is in Vernal, Utah, in Uintah County. It is on North 2500 West north of 1000 Street N, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1063 N 2500 W, Vernal UT 84078, United States of America.

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Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Uinta Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Reynolds Flour Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Ashley Postoffice (approx. 1½ miles away); Ashley Post Office (approx. 1½ miles away); First Log House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Uintah Stake Tabernacle (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Tithing Office (approx. 2.4 miles away); Vernal Tithing Office (approx. 2.4 miles away); Grist Mill Burrs (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernal.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 27, 2025

2. Fort Thornburgh Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.