I had never heard of Pipe Springs. In my focus on the great questions concerning human history, this little fortified farm escaped notice. Yet, if the subject is the establishment of the Mormon community in Utah it does have importance. The structure in the top photo has solid perimeter walls, pierced only by gun slits. The two buildings are each two-story with living quarters and kitchen/food processing area. Aside from range cattle (below) it had a sizable dairy herd that supplied a butter and cheese making operation. These products were for the growing town of St. George, Utah, a 3 day wagon trip.
The building was constructed over Pipe Spring to insure a water supply if attacked. Apparently, the end of polygamy was a condition for Utah statehood and isolated stations such as this were a convenient hide-a-way for less than cooperative Saints. Our guide, a Native American, also pointed out that there was much evidence of early settlement, as early as 500 BC. He said this was not legend but the opinion of archaeologists. Well, we know how reliable those types are.
A side note: The explorer, John Wesley Powell, spent time at Pipe Springs and while there confirmed that it was in the Arizona Territory not Utah. Perhaps, there were tax implications.
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