Bluff in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Barton's Well

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

1. The Barton's Well Marker

Inscription. Upon the pioneers' arrival in the Bluff valley, water for cooking and drinking was carried from the San Juan River. According to Mary Mackelprang Jones, water from the San Juan “O was so hard and muddy cottonwood ashes were put in it to stand overnight, thus cleaning and settling it for morning use.”
Within weeks, wells were dug where water was found at depths of 16 to 20 feet. A large well in he center of the fort initially supplied culinary water for all. As the pioneers moved from the fort, wells were dug on each town lot.
In 1906 an artesian well was drilled east of town. By 1908 water lines from the artesian well were delivering culinary water throughout Bluff.
When restoration work began on this site, this well was just a depression in the ground. Excavation revealed the original stone walls of the well. For safety reasons, the well has not been excavated to its original depth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 17.01′ N, 109° 33.198′ W. Marker is in Bluff, Utah, in San Juan County. It can be reached from 5th East Street. Marker is on the grounds of the Bluff Fort Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 East Black Locust Avenue, Bluff UT 84512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Navajo Nation

and in 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Barton Cabin/West Wall of the Bluff Fort (here, next to this marker); Barton Family (a few steps from this marker); Sod Roofs on the Cabins of Bluff (a few steps from this marker); Farming Implements Used by the Settlers of Bluff (a few steps from this marker); Amasa Barton's Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); George Brigham Hobbs & Sisters (within shouting distance of this marker); Bodil and Jens Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluff.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

2. The Barton's Well Marker

The Barton's Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

3. The Barton's Well

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.