The Civil War was drawing to a close back east when the Blackhawk War erupted here in Utah; the year was 1865. A number of settlers were killed in Sanpete and eastern Millard counties and the residents of newly established Deseret were told to construct a fort for protection for themselves and their livestock. The result was Fort Deseret. It is made of adobe mud and straw on a rock foundation. Walls were 10 feet high and three feet thick. It still stands after 148 years.