Stansbury Park in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Sheep Camp

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 30, 2026

1. Sheep Camp Marker

Inscription. This sheep camp, the "home away from home" for a sheep herder, was owned by James H. Harris (1882-1975) who ran a large sheep business in the Tooele Valley from 1939 until his death at the age of ninety-three.

Harris and his partners, first Tony Castagno and later Merrill and Wilton Fidler (from 1941 to 1969), ran more than 2,200 head of sheep. The herd wintered on Dugway Mountain on the West Desert, and in the spring they moved to the Hickman Bench, west of Grantsville for shearing, ear marking, and paint branding. After lambing season, the herd moved to summer range in Middle Canyon, East of Tooele.

Assisted by a trusty horse and dog, a herder watched over the sheep day and night. He kept the herd together and protected them from coyotes, mountain lions, and other predators. The sheep camp, a step up from a tent and campfire, provided the comforts of a warm bed and a hot meal in the herders solitary job. The camp was originally built by Jerry Lossee on the under carriage of a Model-T Ford truck and had a canvas top. Later Harris' son-in-law, Ralph Tanner, added the aluminum top to provide extra protection from

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the elements.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 40° 39.09′ N, 112° 17.866′ W. Marker is in Stansbury Park, Utah, in Tooele County. It can be reached from Utah 138. Marker located in the Benson Grist Mill historical park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 UT-138, Tooele UT 84074, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Wasatch Front,

in the West Desert,

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in 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 walking distance of this marker: Pehrson Barn (here, next to this marker); Gollaher Barn (here, next to this marker); Boothe Barn (a few steps from this marker); Johnson Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Boyer Milk Depot (a few steps from

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 30, 2026

2. Sheep Camp Marker

Sheep camp marker located to the right of the cabin.

this marker); Tanner Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Exhibit Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Forsyth Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stansbury Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.