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Show KESLER FAMILY REOPENS HISTORIC OLD COVE FORT The Kesler family have recently reopened Brigham Young's historic old Cove Fort after a complete renovation, according to The Progress, Prog-ress, published at Fillmore. The renovation just completed has included refurnishing the rooms, rebuilding the catwalk and gates and reroofing and preserving. In other words, the historic old landmark has been restored to its original state, or as it was when the pioneers first used it. It was around 1867 when the Mormon Church purchased the property from the Willden family and it was the Willden Fort that led to the building of this famous structure, according to The Progress. Prog-ress. Brigham Young had some of the finest tradesmen in the world ef that day brought to Cove Fort to see to its construction. The Fort itself is" made of black volcanic rock and all the materials, including includ-ing the lumber, with exception of the hardware, were obtained from the local area. The W. H. Kesler family first (Continued on Page Three) Here's More About COVE FORT Contlued from Page One leased the Fort in 1904, buying it in 1911. When the Keslers acquired ac-quired the property, it again became be-came an overnight stopping place as in early days. Otto Kesler, the eldest son, has been responsible for preserving and keeping it to the present day. It is one of the few remaining complete forts built by the Utah pioneers. Mary Kesler Davies, husband LeGrande, and Calvin, Joe, and wives, along with Otto and his wife, are responsible for much of the restoration. The general project of rebuilding rooms, the old cat-walks, and other structures was done under contract by the George brothers of Kanosh. Rooms on the south side were completely replastered with the same type of plaster; fireplaces were reopened and special flooring to match that which was originally origin-ally used was custom-made. All window sills, joints, doors, and casings cas-ings are the original, with many of the wooden pegs still used, rather than nails. The first room on the south is a gift and souvenir shop. The remainder re-mainder of the rooms are furnished with pioneer relics, many of which were obtained locally and refurnished refur-nished to their original state. In the first room is a large organ which is a priceless piece of workmanship. work-manship. Beds, tables, and dishes fill the several rooms, making a complete kitchen, bedroom, and front room of the pioneer period. Rooms are glass-enclosed, with the front portion just inside the glass reserved for small articles. These include many items owned by the builders themselves, such as glasses that were owned by Nickolas Paul, the head mason; a Book of Mormon, early edition; and many such relics are on display. dis-play. A doll collection is in one room, with native dolls coming from many countries of the world. The last room is reserved for Indian relics and also holds a fabulous fabu-lous gun collection. In this room are a Navajo rug that is over 100 years old, and Indian water jugs and baskets. The rooms open onto a court, where the 20-Mule Team Borax Wagon sets in an almost perfect state of preservation. Also in the court are Indian grinding stones and the early-day cistern used to store water for the occupants' needs. The entrance itself is most unusual, un-usual, for it contains a keystone arch in its structure, one of the few in this country. Also, hanging over the entrance is the old Johnston Army dinner bell. Most of the original flagpole was saved and the American flag flies from it every day. Guided tours are conducted every ev-ery day. A picnic area and playground play-ground are nearing completion. Ail members of the Kesler family fam-ily are to be congratulated for preserving, pre-serving, and now restoring, this priceless place of pioneer heritage. |