Rio Grande in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Utah's First Fort

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

1. Utah's First Fort Marker

Inscription. On this ten acre square during the years 1847-1849 stood the first fort, historic Mormon bastion, sometimes called the "Plymouth Rock of the West." Homes were erected of logs or adobe, side by side, with the rear walls forming a protective barrier; enclosed by a nine foot mud wall. By December 1847, over two thousand people were living in the fort which was extended one block north and one block south. The first school convened here in October 1847. A bowery, built in the center, served as a meeting place. Within its walls Anglo Saxon civilization was first brought to the Great Basin and the ensign of our Republic raised over this domain, then Mexican territory. Here, on December 9, 1848, the first petition to establish self government in the Rocky Mountain West was signed. It became a public park July 24, 1898.

[Second plaque mounted on monument:]
Pioneer Women Three women came in the first company of pioneers:
Harriet Page Wheeler, wife of Lorenzo D. Young; Clara Decker, wife of Brigham Young; Ellen Saunders, wife of Heber C. Kimball.

During the rugged journey the services performed by these heroic women

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

were of incalculable value.

[Third plaque mounted on the monument:]
Pioneer Children The children who journeyed with the first company of pioneers were:
Lorenzo Sobieski Young, age six years, Son of Lorenzo D. and Persis Goodall Young, and Isaac Perry Decker, age seven, son of Harriet Page Wheeler Decker Young.

Both boys proved themselves courageous and helpful during the historic trek across the plains.

Erected 1964 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers - Days of '47 , Inc. (Marker Number 295.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2004.

Location. 40° 45.669′ N, 111° 54′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. It is at the intersection of 300 West and 400 South, on the right when traveling south on 300 West. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salt Lake City UT 84101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Pioneer Women image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

2. Pioneer Women

is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Flag of the United States of America (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (about 800 feet away); Broadway Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Utah's First Pioneer Burial Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Sunday School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Pioneer Children image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

3. Pioneer Children

Utah's First Fort Monument and Marker Plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

4. Utah's First Fort Monument and Marker Plaques

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. This page has been viewed 1,909 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.