Pipe Springs

(Kaibab AZ)
Fourteen miles West of Fredonia is Pipe Springs National Monument; a joint project between the Paiute-Kaibab Band and the National Park Service. This was a well known natural spring used by travelers through the area.

Stone building

Pipe Springs Fort

A tithing ranch was established there, and a stone fort was built over the spring by the Mormon Church. The ranch provided food to the men building the Saint George Temple 60 miles to the west. The spring water was shared with others, and managed by the ranch. But, as you can imagine, most was used by the ranch.

Stone dwelling

Bunk House

The fort is much as it was when in use. There are corrals, ponds, gardens and out buildings. A volunteer does a tour explaining the uses of the fort and the history surrounding it.

pipesmithy

Smithy next to corral

Covered wagon campsite

Pioneer Camp

The museum shows how the different groups around the spring worked together and  compromised over it’s use. Eventually, the Church sold the ranch. Today, the water is split equally between the natives, local ranchers, and the park service.

Cone shaped shelter made with branches

Native Camp

It’s an interesting story of how the west was developed. And, the restored ranch is well done. From there I headed toward my next destination.

Site: Pipe Springs NM
Scene: Fort, ranch, museum

2 Responses to Pipe Springs

  1. Dizzy-Dick May 23, 2014 at 1:49 pm #

    That sure looks like an interesting place. Lots of history there. I bet you could spend hours looking at everything and imagining what it was like back in the day.

    • Pleinguy May 24, 2014 at 1:41 am #

      I sure can, and usually do. I like getting into the history of a place.

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