Throwback Thursday: The Fort That Moved Palmyra Utah

by Lori Collins

If you’ve ever driven through the quiet fields of Palmyra, Utah, you’re actually traveling over the site of one of the most ambitious—and shortest-lived—pioneer cities in the valley.

For this week’s #ThrowbackThursday, let's look at a few local landmarks that tell the story of a community that wouldn't stay gone for long.

🏛️ The Corner of History: Old Palmyra Fort Marker

Located at the intersection of West 4000 South and South 3200 West, you’ll find a stone monument that marks the southwest corner of Fort Palmyra.

The Backstory: In 1853, under the direction of Apostle George A. Smith, settlers enclosed a 10-acre square with 10-foot-high adobe walls to protect against local conflicts.
The "Lived-In" Wall: The fort wasn't just a wall; it was a line of small adobe houses where the doors faced inward toward a central corral, keeping families and livestock safe.

🚜 A Century of Farming: The Historic Holt Farm

One of the most iconic sights in the Palmyra landscape is the Holt Farm.

Century Status: This is officially designated as a Utah Century Farm, meaning it has been continuously owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years.
The Legacy: While many pioneer sites were abandoned when the town "moved" to Spanish Fork in 1856, the return of families like the Holts in the 1870s proved that the land was worth the struggle.

🌊 The "Alkali" Exodus

Ever wonder why Palmyra isn't a massive city today? The pioneers faced a unique challenge: as they irrigated the low-lying river bottoms, mineral salts (alkali) rose to the surface, killing their crops.

The Great Move: In 1856, following the advice of Brigham Young, the settlers literally dismantled their adobe homes, packed the bricks into wagons, and moved three miles east to found present-day Spanish Fork!

📍 Visit for Yourself

Next time you’re on the Spanish Fork River Trail, take a detour toward the lake. You can still see the wide-open pastures and the same river bends that George A. Smith stood beside in 1852 when he declared this was a "suitable place to build a city."