OLD FORT MONUMENTS
• Judge Don Eyre, Jr., left, representing the
Nephi Lion Club Speaks to the Nephi City Council on
placement of new monuments to mark the corners of
the Old Fort wall that was torn down in the 1860's.
In the photo insert is the current monument located
at 200 South and 100 West in Nephi showing the poor
condition.
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The Nephi Lions Club would like to replace the old fort
monuments with granite ones.
In 1820, four corners of the old fort wall which once
protected Nephi from the American Indians, were marked with
concrete monuments. Only two of those monuments remain and
neither are in good condition.
"We first proposed the project in 2003," said Judge Don
Eyre Jr.
Since that time, there had been a few new council members
and a new mayor elected, he said. Therefore, the Lions
thought they had better seek new approval for the project
before proceeding.
The fort covered the blocks between 100 North and 200
South and 200 East and 100 West.
Main Street was the old California Trail, therefore,
gates had to be hung which would be open to travelers along
the trail during the day but which could be locked at
night.
"We will place granite markers on the four corners of the
old fort," said Eyre, "Engraved on the granite shafts will
be the dates of the fort which was from 1853 to 1860."
He said that was the basic time period the fort was in
place.
Most of the old fort wall was 12-feet high, except in a
few places where it was 9-feet high, and was made of
adobe.
By 1920, only a few remnants of the wall remained. That
was the year the original monuments were placed. In 1935,
the last remaining piece of the wall was given a proper
monument and is now preserved at the Nephi City Park.
"We are asking the city to let us know where, on the four
corners, you would like the monuments placed," said
Eyre.
The current monuments still in place are on the city park
strip at corners of the blocks.
The new ones would be 1-foot square at the bottom and
would be 4-feet high tapering at the top. They would be
placed on a concrete base.
"They will be just like granite monuments at cemeteries,"
said Eyre.
Mayor Mark Jones said the thought the plan was a great
one and would help preserve the history of the
community.
McKnight said he would be happy to work with Eyre. He
suggested that Ed Park, city streets superintendent, be
consulted as to the best placement so as not to interfere
with snow removal and with the utilities corridor under the
streets.
Property owners, Art Woodbury, Dale Robertshaw, Iris
Potter and the owner of the trailer park will also be
consulted. The monuments would be on city property at the
corners of their lots. They will be contacted by the Lions
Club members just as a courtesy.
"I think we should let the Lions do the project unless
zoning or landowner conflicts create problems," said Wayne
Jarrett, council member.
Approval for the project was given subject to the details
of the placement of the monuments being worked out.
"I would like to thank the Lions for being willing to do
the project," said Robert Painter, council member. "Please
extend our thanks and appreciation to your other club
members."
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