The Monument

When the first settlers arrived in the valley, this is the spot which they selected as the site for their new city. At that time this area was convered with tall grass; a stream of crystal clear water flowed in a south easterly direction through the site. There was only one tree in the valley, a samll haw bush which grew near the springs which were the source of the stream. The stream, now more generally called "the creek" flows toward the center of the valley (to your left as your face the monument) where it suddenly disappears into the ground in an area called "the sinks."

The monument is close to the spot where the south east corner of the original rock fort stood. The settlers built the fort as protection from the original rock fort stood. The settlers built the fort as protection from the Indians who regularly camped and hunted in the valley. For those who know the story of George Carson, it was here that he was brought just after being hit in the leg with an arrow during the attempt to arrest the Indian chief Tintic. The north wall of the fort was approximately where the porth of the Inn now is.

John Carson built the Inn in stages. From this point it is not hard to imagine how it must have looked when first built - in your imagination take away the porch and the frame additions to the west and to the back of the house. This will leave just the original two story adobe home, with chimneys at either end. Without the additions, the Inn looked very much like the houses that the Mormons had built in Nauvoo.

No 82
Erected August 24, 1939
Fairfield-Camp Floyd - Fort Crittenden

In 1855 Fairfield was settled by John Carson, William Carson, David Carson, William Beardshall and John Clegg. A rock fort 4 rods square was erected in 1856-7. This monument being at the southeast corner, which was the entrance. In 1860 the population including soldiers, was 7,000, this being utah's third largest city.

Camp Floyd, adjoining Fairfield on the south and west was established July 4, 1858 by BVT. Brig. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston and the Utah Expeditionary forces numbering about 3,000 men. Col. Phillip St. George Cooke succeeded in command March 1, 1850, changing the name to Ft. Crittenden February 6, 1861. It was abandoned July 1861.

An overland stage station established in 1859 was operated until 1868 and a Pony Express Station from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861. The station was 539 feet east and 210 feet north of this point. This monument was built of rocks from the barracks and guard house of Camp Floyd, the Fairfield Fort wall and indian hieroglyphic rocks from 5-mile pass.

Citizens of Fairfield and Lehi
Oregon Trail Memorial Association
Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association

The cannon ball on the monument comes from the John L. McKinney collection of Camp Floyd relics. The camp was on the south side of the creek. Before the highway was built, there was a bridge behind the monument. The bridge was used by the overland stage coaches and the pony express on their way to California. The bridge was also used by the soldiers in Johnston's Army. James H. Gerdener tells us that the little bridge was where the guards received the counter sign (password) from all the soldiers who had leave of absence from the camp. In many cases the soldiers were so drunk after visiting the saloons that they had forgotten the password. Army rules were that anyone who could not give this sign was treated as a spy and shot down. Accordingly there were at times from one to five men killed on the bridge. Their bodies would be left lying over night until the coroner could take care of them the next morning.

The Pony Express

Camp Floyd - Later reanmed Fort Crittended was a way station for the Pony Express - provided troops to protect against indian attack and kept the trail open for the Pony Express and Stage Line.

Erected by the Sons of Utah Pioneers

Historic Site in Journalism

VALLEY TAN (Nov 6, 1858 - Feb 22, 1860)

Utah's first non-mormon newspaper was conceived and had its major circulation in Camp Floyd. Kirk Anderson, its founder, made it an "Opposition Paper" but eventually under another publisher it gave support to mormon political candidates.

Utah Professional Chapter - Sigma Delta Phi

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