PIPE Sprlnli Nafional Monumenl ARIZONA Pipe Spring National Monument
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Old Mormon Fort PIPE SPRlnli nafional monumenl ARIZONA Pipe Spring national monument United States Department of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, Secretary National Park Service. Newton B. Drury. Director The buildings at Pipe Spring National opment of this part of the Southwest. Monument, constructed by the Mormons Under the leadership of Brigham during 1869-1870,and later used by pri- Young, they were able to establish their vate interests as a ranch headquarters culture in this land where many others and cattle buying and shipping point, failed. As an expression of the fore- represent an important phase of the sight, courage, vigor, persistence, and movement westward by the American faith of the pioneer, and of the Mormons pioneer. The Mormons who settled at in particular, Pipe Spring is preserved Pipe Spring and other similar areas can as a monument, not only to those who be given much of the credit for the settled the Southwest but to all who took exploration, colonization, and devel- part in the Westward Movement. Interior Courtyard Pipe Spring is within a general area paces. Hamblin did fail to puncture of tremendous geological interest, a the handkerchief; because the silk cloth, stratigraphic section extending 100 miles hung by the upper edge only, yielded The Natural Setting from north to south. This is from the Pipe Spring Is Named before the force of the bullet. Grand Canyon of the Colorado, where Hamblin, somewhat vexed, turned to Pipe Spring is in the southwestern part the old original basic rocks of the earth The first white men to visit Pipe Spring one of the men, daring him to put his of the Colorado Plateau, at an elevation are exposed, to the relatively new and were the Jacob Hamblin party, who, in pipe on a rock near the spring, which of approximately 5,000 feet above sea- recent beds (only about 60 million years 1856, camped at this then nameless was at some distance, so that the mouth level. The climate is fairly temperate, old) forming the pink cliffs of Bryce spring. They had been sent out by of the bowl faced directly toward them. with hot summers and rather severe Canyon National Park and Cedar Brigham Young to explore and report He then wagered that he could shoot winters. The region is sparsely forested, Breaks National Monument, in southern on the Colorado River country and to the bottom out of the bowl without touch- with cedar (juniper) and pinon, cot- Utah. From Pipe Spring itself can be negotiate, if possible, a treaty of peace ing the rim. The wager accepted, tonwood, and willow. The lombardy seen the same limestone that forms the with the Navajos living on the south "Gunlock Bill" promptly and neatly poplar was introduced by the Mormons; rimrock of the Grand Canyon, a series side of the river. Besides Jacob Hamblin, performed the feat, and won the wager. it is not native to the Southwest. The of later shales and sandstones, and, far the captain of the party, its members To this day, the spring has been called typical Southwestern semi-desert plants to the south, the recent lava fields of the included William Hamblin, sometimes Pipe Spring. occur along with the pinon and juni- Mount Trumbull volcanic area. called "Gunlock Bill," and considered per: greasewood, rabbitbrush, sage- to be one of the best rifle shots in the First Settlement brush, cacti and grasses, and quite a Pipe Spring, and other seeps and Southwest; Amon Terry, and Dudley variety of flowers. Jackrabbits and sprinqs in this region, owe their exist- Levett. Dr. James M. Whitmore and Robert cottontails are common; coyotes, porcu- ence to the Sevier Fault, a great break While camping at the spring, some McIntyre were the first settlers at Pipe pines, badgers, chipmunks and squir- running from northeast to southwest for of the men, deciding to play a joke on Spring. It was here in 1863 that they rels, wild rats and mice, and many birds over 200 miles. On its southeast side William Hamblin, told him that he could built a dugout of earth and juniper logs and reptiles occur in the vicinity. Civet the strata have been forced up several not shoot through a silk handkerchief, as the headquarters for their cattle cat and ringtail cat have been recorded. hundred feet. which was hung at a distance of fifty ranch. Firing Platform Restored Cabin For two. years, Whitmore and McIn- through the south building. Thus was tyre, with Whitmore's young son, lived assured a plentiful supply of good water in the dugout, carrying on their ranch- at all times for those who lived at Pipe ing. During the winter of 1865-1866, a Spring. band of Navajo and Paiute Indians stole Bishop Winsor left Pipe Spring about some sheep and cattle from a nearby 1875, and the place was sold to private pasture. The two ranchers, leaving the interests for a cattle ranch. For years, 8-year-old boy at the dugout, set out on it was an important cattle buying and the trail of the marauders to the south- shipping point, from which cattle drives UTAH east. Four miles from the dugout they were started to the railroad. AI'l.IZ.ONA were massacred and stripped of their clothing and belongings by 'the Indians. Finally the old fort and auxiliary During the night, the latter returned and buildings were acquired by the Federal raided Pipe Spring, but did not go into Government and established as a na- the dugout where young Whitmore was tional monument. hiding. Repaired, and eventually to be fitted Knowing that his father and McIntyre with the tools and furnishings of the \o(..E.Y MAP were killed, the boy spent the night in period of its historical importance, it \ terror. Next morning, he started on foot will remain as a monument to the for St. George, Utah, 96 miles away, to pioneer era. report the killings. Ten miles away, at noon, he met some men, who relayed Administration the information to the settlements. Pipe Spring National Monument, 15 Members of the militia discovered the miles southwest of Fredonia, Ariz., is a bodies of the murdered men several unit of the National Park Service of the days later; they questioned some In- United States Department of the Interior. dians who were wearing the clothes of Established by Presidential proclama- the slain men. When the Indians failed tion in May 1923, the area of the monu- to talk, except to deny the killings, they ment is 40 acres. were executed. Later, it was learned It may be reached by a fairly good that they were peaceful Paiutes and had graded road west from Fredonia. The really told the truth, having obtained the nearest rail point is Cedar City, Utah, on clothing in trade. The real culprits went the Union Pacific Railroad. scot-free. A permanent custodian is available Later Settlement daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to guide The Mormons, under the direction of visitors through the buildings. There are Brigham Young, acquired the Whitmore- picnicking but no camping facilities. ".f.i;,..; ..: r-v---. McIntyre estate; and, in 1869, Bishop Food, supplies, and gasoline can be ,.. ~' . ~ '\;,' .... ....• Anson P. Winsor arrived at Pipe Spring procured at nearby towns. .. " .. ":'.... :...-::!.:<\ ..:..l~ ..'", to build a fort, improve the spring, and Visitors are asked to picnic only at " . '..:.-:."'. -..j:". , ~.. to take care of the tithing cattle for the designated places. They must refrain " , church. By 1870, he had finished the from picking flowers, defacing property, ,, fort, which consisted of two 2-storied or committing any act of vandalism. , red sandstone buildings, facing each PIPE SPRING FORl Inquiries should be directed to the other across a courtyard, which was PIPE SPRING N~TlONAl MONUMENT Acting Custodian, Pipe Spring National AR.\lONA closed at the ends with heavy gates. Monument, Moccasin, Ariz., or to the The north building was erected direct- Superintendent, Southwestern National ly over the spring, and the water flowed Monuments, Coolidge, Ariz. W. H. Kistler Stationery Co., Denver, Colorado, 7 -41-'JOM..