Have you ever driven up or down Interstate 15 between Beaver and Kanosh, UT and wondered about Cove Fort? I’ve driven by it hundreds of times and my curiousity finally peaked enough to get me to pull off and visit this wonderful place.

[More:]

You may have heard President Gordon B. Hinckley speak of Cove Fort in a conference address. His ancestors ran and directed the Fort for a number of years and as such was a very special place for him. The fort is a typical fort with high walls, heavy doors and gun ports. Your younger boys will love it! The fort is built from volcanic rock that can be found in the area. There are rooms surrounding the entire perimeter of the fort each one with it’s own fireplace.

Today the fort is owned and operated by The Church and there are a myriad of senior missionary couples running the fort. You have to admire these missionaries….Cove Fort was built in a COLD, WINDY place. They chose the location because the harshness of the weather and these missionaries are out in the elements giving tours every day of the year. We stopped at the fort in April and it was freezing cold and windy. We practically ran into the fort to get some shelter ourselves!

Here is a brief historical excerpt on the fort:

The fort was built to offer protection and refreshment to the traveler. Beginning in 1847, pioneers began settling the high mountain valleys stretching from Idaho to California. They came here to worship in peace and to build homes and communities. The fort is made of lava rock, which workers hauled from west of the property. The fort is 100 square feet, 18.5 feet tall, 4 feet thick at the footings and 2.5 feet thick at the top.

In 1867, the prophet Brigham Young called Ira Hinckley and his family to come and direct the building and operations of the fort.

Cove Fort has been restored to bring the past a little bit more to life. This is the only fort built by the Latter-day Saints in the 1800’s that still stands.

For more information on the fort go to www.CoveFort.com. I highly recommend stopping by on your next trip through the area. It’s only a few minutes off the road and they even gave our kids a free toy similar to those from the 1800’s.

The purpose of the fort in the 1800’s was to offer refuge from physical elements. Today the fort is operated as a spiritual refuge for passing travelers.