Bountiful Historic District
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THE BOUNTIFUL FORT AND OLD WALL
Historic Location: 2nd West to 4th East, 5th South to 4th North, Bountiful
Bountiful’s old fort district placed on National Registry of Historic Places
The National Registry of Historic Places
Davis County Clipper --- 20 DEC. 05
BOUNTIFUL — More than 150 years ago, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball instructed those in Bountiful to build a wall to keep out Indians after a skirmish that left four residents and 15 Indians dead. Years later, the wall no longer stands, but the wall’s boundary is still being used for protection.
Only in this case, the city is protecting its own heritage. About two months ago, the Bountiful Historic District was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as a historic place. The historic district falls within 200 West, 500 South, 400 East and 400 North. City Council member Tom Tolman, who has been actively involved with the preservation of historic places in the city for some time, said it took several months to get the district on the register of historic places.
Tolman said in May 2004 he presented a resolution to the city to adopt the old fort area as the Bountiful Historic District.
About one year later, the state of Utah recognized the area as a historic district also.
Finally, the city recently found out the district had been accepted by the national registry.
Tolman said it is important to recognize the significance of the history of the city.
“We have a right and a responsibility to try and preserve our history,” Tolman said.
Tolman said that many homeowners within the historical district would be able to receive tax incentives if they want to renovate their homes.
Tolman also said that as a city council member, it is sometimes hard to find a balance between planning for the future and preserving the past.
While sometimes difficult, Tolman said that there are a few things the city has done to try to allow the past and the present to merge.
“The Bountiful Historical District has tried to maintain a good relationship with the Downtown Business Association,” Tolman said.
Other cities have praised Bountiful for not only trying to bring people to the downtown area to shop, but also to recognize the historical significance of the area in which they walk.
The announcement of the district being placed on the register of historic places comes at nearly the same time as the completion and publication of the updated “The City Bountiful,” which provides an in-depth look at the history of Bountiful.
The commission has placed signs along some of the border sites that designate the old fort district.
Tolman said that he would like to have a bigger budget for the preservation of historic places in the city.
Currently, the Bountiful Historical Commission is working toward raising funds so that there will be a permanent museum to house memorabilia, histories, artifacts and displays of the history of Bountiful.
More information about the designation of the old fort district being recognized on the registry can be found at www.bountifulutah.gov/HistoricalCommission/index.html.
cphares@davisclipper.com
Beginning in 1848, the peaceful attitude of the Indians near Bountiful began to change.
There was kidnaping and harassment which eventually developed into armed conflict. One report
indicates that in January of 1852, a skirmish occurred in which four Bountiful people were killed, along with fifteen Indians. In 1853, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball called for a meeting to discuss the feasibility of building a fort. It was decided to build a wall both as a protection and as a work project for the pioneers.
The proposed wall was to be made of dirt and was to be twelve feet high and six feet thick at the base and two feet thick at the top. It was to be built along 200 West to 400 North, then east to 400 East, and then south to 500 South and then west to 200 West. A property tax of $25 was assessed to each lot and a poll tax was assessed to each male 18 years of age and older. In order to provide employment for the poor, some people hired others to build their portions of the wall.
By 1856 the people of Bountiful were told to build the fort as soon as possible. Each man was required to put in one day of labor consisting of ten hours to help speed its construction. Even though there was still some trouble with the Indians, the gates of the fort were never installed and the wall was never completed. The settlers were advised to move into the fortified city. The lots were sold for $5 to $25 per lot.
The old wall was never adequately maintained. It became a place for children to play, with sagebrush growing from its sides. It stood until the turn of the century. The last two standing portions of the wall were located on 400 North near 400 East, and on 200 West near First North.
Originally roads were planned to run along the wall both on the inside and the outside. When the wall was removed, the wider inside road was sold for lots for homes, except for 400 North, which developed into a racetrack and recreation area. For several decades it was a playground on the holidays with horse racing, horse and ox-team pulling contests and tug-o-wars as favorite sports
(Bountiful Area Historic Sites. Bicentennial Edition).
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