Pioneer Park Revitalization history culture settlers

Settled Pioneer Park was settled in 1847 and is known as the "Old Fort" settlement. It was the first permanent Anglo Saxon settlement in the West. Old Fort stood in the ten acre park from 1847 through 1849 as the first Mormon settlement. 160 families and over 1700 people went through the square in the first two years. The first school was built on the property.
Plymouth Rock Sometimes called the "Plymouth Rock of the West, homes were erected out of logs or adobe side by side with the rear walls forming a protection barrier enclosed by a nine foot mud wall. By December 1847, over 2000 people were living in the fort which was extended one block north and one block south. The fist school convened on the grounds October 1847.
A bowery, built in the center, served as a meeting place. Within its walls Anglo Saxon civilization was brought to the Great Basin and the ensign of our republic raised over this domain, then Mexican territory. Here on December 1848, the first petition to establish self government in the Rocky Mountain west was signed and it became a public park on July 24, 1898.
Pioneer Women Three woman came in the first company of pioneers: Harriet Page Wheeler, wife of Lorenzo D Young; Clara Decker, wife of Brigham Young; Ellen Saunders, Wife of Heber C. Kimball. During the rugged journey the services performed by these heroic women were of incalculable value.
Pioneer Children The children who journeyed with the fist company of pioneers were: Lorenzo Sobieski Youg, age six, son of Lorenz D and Persis Goodall Young, and Isaac Perry Decker, age seven , son of Page Wheeler Decker Young. Both boys proved themselves courageous and helpful during the historic trek across the plains.