Fort Harmony, Utah facts for kids

Fort Harmony was an early settlement, or small town, located in the northern part of Washington County, Utah, United States. It was an important place for pioneers settling in the area long ago.

What Was Fort Harmony?

Fort Harmony was started in 1852. It was built by pioneers who were moving into the Utah territory. One of the early settlers who lived there was John D. Lee.

This fort was also the main office, or "headquarters," for a special group called the Southern Indian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This mission worked with Native American tribes in the southern Utah area.

Why Was Fort Harmony Abandoned?

Life at Fort Harmony changed suddenly in 1862. The area experienced very heavy rains for a whole month. This event is known as the Great Flood of 1862.

The fort's walls were made of "adobe," which is a type of brick made from mud and straw. The long, heavy rains washed away most of these adobe walls. Because of this, the settlers could no longer live safely in the fort. They had to leave their homes.

After the flood, the people from Fort Harmony moved to new places. They helped create two new settlements nearby: New Harmony and Kanarraville. Both of these towns are in Iron County.