Draper Historic Park

Located at 12625 South 900 East in Draper, Utah

“Blacksmith” by Dennis Smith
In memory and honor of the early settlers of Draper.

“First Settlers of Draper” by Jason Millward
Ebenezer Brown
1801-1878
Phebe Draper Palmer Brown
1797-1879
They arrived in 1849 after serving as members of the Mormon Battalion, this part was part of their original homestead and site of the Draper Fort.

“Absalom Wamsley Smith” by Layne Brady
June 22, 1819 – May 12, 1904

Peter Anthon Nielsen
“Keep good company or none”

EARLY DRAPER GATHERING PLACES

The Old White Meetinghouse
In 1852, on the north wall of Draper Fort, a one-room adobe school building was erected to serve as a gathering place for the early settlement.
In 1860 a second public structure was built. This second structure was called the Vestry. The Vestry was located toward the northeast corner, inside Draper Fort. The Vestry was used as a school, a meetinghouse, and a community center. In 1863 a main hall was added to the Vestry, and from that time, the building was known as “The Old White Meetinghouse.” The building materials – lumber, mortar, bricks, paint, granite blocks-were all local. The walls of the meetinghouse were made with “Mormon adobes,” which were bricks made from local clay. The paint was a mixture of slacked lime, water, and salt. Only materials such as nails, hinges, and glass windows were purchased.
This “Old White Meetinghouse” was the place where John Rocky Park, an early Draper educator, taught his famous village school. Dr. Park later became the first president of the University of Deseret, the precursor to the University of Utah. For more than twenty years, the meetinghouse served the people of Draper in all public and spiritual gatherings.
In January 1940, the Ebenezer Brown Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers erected a monument on the original site of this building. The granite block in the monument was the south step of the old church.

The First Ward Church
In 1853 Draper’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settlers formed a branch. Three years later, the growing community was organized into the Draper Ward. Isaac Mitton Stewart was sustained as the first Bishop of Draper in October 1856 and continued in that calling until his death March 15, 1890. For years, Draper’s spiritual needs were amply served by the Old White Meetinghouse. However, as Draper’s population increased, so did its needs. A new meetinghouse was commenced in the spring of 1892 by Bishop William Coleman Allen, second Bishop of Draper (May 11, 1890 until August 21, 1898). Bishop Allen initiated the beginning of the brick work at the time of his release as bishop. The church members excavated the basement using wagons, plows, and scrapers pulled by teams of horses. The granite rocks for the foundation were quarried into rectangular shapes, loaded in wagons, and hauled to the building site near the small Old White Meetinghouse. Other church members molded bricks. Coal was needed to fire the bricks and was delivered by railroad cars. Masons, carpenters, skilled- and unskilled-labor of all sorts were needed to accomplish the task. The needed help was always present.
The First Ward Church was completed at a cost of $13,000 and dedicated on May 24, 1903, under the administration of Bishop Willard Boulter Enniss. This was an event in the history of Draper that had been anticipated for a generation. The fully furnished chapel, including a pipe organ, was on the main floor; the classrooms and a kitchen were in the basement.
The church was abandoned June 14, 1953, after part of the roof blew off in a windstorm and was razed with difficulty in 1954.

The Draper Roundhouse or Amusement Hall
The Roundhouse was a social gathering place for the people of Draper. Many people will remember socials, dances, basketball games, and weddings that were held in this building. For years, it was also used as a theater. This building was started in the spring of 1913 and almost completed in 1916. Presenting a show was necessary to raise sufficient funds to complete its construction. The amusement hall (or “roundhouse,” as it was known locally) was built east of the Draper Ward meetinghouse. A young architect by the name of Bjorling from Murray, Utah, designed the building. The Salt Lake Tabernacle was a model for the plan which had an oval layout and hipped roof design. The building was demolished in 1961 after the city deemed it was insufficient for the needs of the town. Contributed by Draper Historic Preservation Commission – 2019

William Draper, Jr.

DRAPERVILLE FORT
1854-1864

On the present site of Draper Historic Park, with some expansion to the north and south, stood Draperville Fort. Fort Street was named for this historic enclosure.

According to the Eleventh General Epistle of the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dated 10 April 1854, Brigham Young addressed the Saints as follows: “… from hence forth, let one and all go forth with one accord and build their forts, wall in their cities and villages, herd and guard their cattle and other property, and keep their guns and ammunition in good order and convenience, ready for instant use.” Beginning in late 1854, the fort was erected as protection for pioneers who had been homesteading in the area since 1849. Skirmishes erupted from Sanpete to Salt Lake Counties between warriors of Timpanogos Ute Chief Walkara and settlers. Walkara had become upset by Mormon efforts to stifle Indian slave trading and by the increased intrusion of settlers into traditional Native American hunting grounds.

Ebenezer Brown and his family were the first settlers to arrive in “South Willow Creek” in 1849. Ebenezer’s homestead was 160 acres. Because of the Indians’ threat and Brigham Young’s directive, Ebenezer donated 5 acres of his property to build a fort where members of the community could gather together and feel safe. The walls that surrounded the fort were made of adobe brick and clay and took two years to build. The fort measured 126.5 yards east to west and 192.5 yards north to south. The walls were 8 feet high and 1 foot wide with lookout slots every 14 feet. All the homes faced the center of the fort.

The first house built was Ebenezer’s. Running west along the south wall were three other small homes. Perry Fitzgerald’s two-story home was built on the east wall; to the west was the LDS Church tithing office and granary and the Relief Society Hall. Ebenezer’s son, Norman Brown, built an adobe brick house. This house also served as the first schoolhouse. The entrance to the fort was a road through a wide opening in the northwest corner of the fort and in front of Lauritz Smith’s blacksmith shop. A garden area, in the southwest end of the fort, included a small orchard of apple and peach trees. The garden was planted by William Terry with seeds he carried across the plains from Rhode Island. John Fitzgerald’s home was built on the northeast corner of the fort. John’s mother, Ann, had a candy store attached to the home.

By the year 1855, the population of the community had grown to 222 people. Until then, church, school, and public meetings were held in homes. More space was needed, so in 1860, the vestry was built across from the Norman Brown home. In 1863 the main hall was added to the vestry, and from that time, the building was known as “The Old White Meetinghouse.”

The people of the community never lacked for entertainment. A large dance pavilion was built near the west gate. In 1859, the 80-foot by 100-foot bowery was built cast of the White Meetinghouse. The pavilion was a large, open building in the middle of the fort near the east side. It was made of poles and had a thatched roof of willows for shade and was used during the warm summer months for large gatherings, such as church conferences, concerts, and performances. Most families in the community had their own homes, cows, sheep and other livestock outside of the fort. Hostilities had increased between the Native Americans and the settlers, whose homes were raided and livestock stolen, so the people lived in their homes during the day and returned to the safety of the fort at night. The temporary homes were very small, with room for only sleeping. They were built of wood and logs, with dirt floors and slanted thatched roofs of sod and willows. Some were no larger than a wagon box.

The fort was never attacked. Brigham Young signed a peace treaty with Chief Walkara in 1854, and Indian difficulties ceased in the late 1850s. The settlers began moving back into their homesteads, and the fort walls were gradually dismantled. The Old White Meetinghouse and some of the original homes remained, and in 1892 the Draper First Ward Church was built on the property.
The fort served the pioneer settlers well and provided sanctuary and security, uniting them during insecure times.

“Draper was first known as South Willow Creek then Draperville from 1854 to 1877, when it was shortened to Draper.

Perry Fitzgerald

Perry Fitzgerald, pioneer, farmer, and rancher was born December 22, 1815 in Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Perry moved to Vermillion, Illinois when he was about 20 years old and began farming. While there, he married and began his family. In 1842, Perry was converted to Mormonism. He moved to Nauvoo, Illinois and in 1846, he received his patriarchal blessing from John Smith, was ordained an Elder and received his endowments in the Nauvoo Temple.

In 1847, Perry was selected by Brigham Young to be a member of the first company of pioneers to head west. He was assigned to be a scout and was responsible for two wagons. Perry entered the Salt Lake Valley July 22, 1847 and assisted Brigham Young in raising the first flag over Ensign Peak. Perry met his family coming across the plains as he accompanied Brigham back to Winter Quarters. Perry arrived back in the Valley in 1848.

He lived a short time in Salt Lake City and Millcreek before finally settling in South Willow Creek, now known as Draper, in the fall of 1851. Perry built a cabin near the bank of the main creek and secured the rights to farm around what is now 12400 So. and about 1300 East. Perry was ordained a High Priest in 1856. He and his second wife started the second Sunday School in Utah in the Draper Ward. Perry was active in protecting the settlers from the Indians and was a First Lieutenant in the Willow Creek Militia.. Perry was a kind, gentle man who believed in never going into debt. He never was required to give his note since his word was his bond. Perry loved fine horses and always drove an excellent team. He died in Draper on Oct. 4, 1889 at the age of 74. “A worthy man gone to rest.”

Enniss Memorial

JOHN and ELISABETH ENNISS joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with hundreds of other members of the United Brethren in Herefordshire, England in the early 1840s. Their conversion sparked a natural desire to emigrate to Utah. With toddler Augusta Comfort Enniss, and a new baby, Susannah, John and Elisabeth sailed from their native land in 1849. During the trek the family endured several tragedies. They buried baby Susannah in New Orleans and Elisabeth’s parents and uncle in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Here, the family also lost their possessions when their Winter Quarters cabin burned to the ground.

Finally arriving in 1851, the Enniss family settled in Draper as one of the settlement’s original 20 families. They became an important part of Draper’s early history. John was a successful farmer, a school trustee, and he helped lead the effort to irrigate Draper. Elisabeth was a selfless community healer who cared for many people in her home. The Enniss family loved to entertain and hosted many community celebrations for their pioneer neighbors.

Into their new home John and Elisabeth welcomed a growing family; two sons, John Heber and Willard Boulter, and two daughters who died young, Edith and Mary. Soon after, and in response to Church counsel, John married JANE OAKEY, a brave survivor of the Willie Handcart Company tragedy. Jane and John’s first child, George Ralph, died in infancy. A beautiful daughter, ROZILLA JANE, was born a few years later. Sadly, Jane died at a tragically young age soon after Rozilla’s birth. John’s aged mother, HANNAH PARK ENNISS, who had made the courageous trek to Utah in 1855, lovingly cared for young Rozilla after Jane’s death. In time, Rozilla married Joseph Daniel Wadley of Pleasant Grove, Utah. Rozilla was a talented musician and proud mother of nine children.

AUGUSTA grew up in Draper’s foothills and eventually married “Doc” Ruel Mills Rogers and raised twelve children. Though small in stature, Augusta was large in spirit. Her faith gave her the strength to face life’s many hardships. JOHN HEBER married Annie Garfield and had several children, with another on the way when he was killed at age 28 over a dispute involving water rights.

WILLARD BOULTER (W.B.) ENNISS was a native pioneer, born in Draper in 1857. W.B. married HANNAH MARY EMILY WADLEY in 1882. Ingrained with a sense of civic duty, W.B. became a true community builder. He helped dig the canals and ditches that brought water to town and was instrumental in incorporating Draper Irrigation Company. In time he also helped influence some of Utah’s early irrigation laws. He also served as Justice of the Peace. An education advocate, W.B. taught school for a time and later served as a school trustee for 16 years. In this role he helped bring three school houses to Draper.

W.B. Enniss served as Draper’s third Bishop for 12 years and was known as “Bishop” for the rest of his life. While Bishop, W.B. also served a mission to his parent’s native land of England. In his absence, wife Emily single-handedly cared for 10 children, several animals and farms. Both before his mission, and after his return, Emily anchored this growing family as W.B. met his community and church duties. In 1915 W.B. was elected to the Utah State Legislature, where he served two terms and was recognized as a leader among his peers. W.B. also helped bring electricity to Draper, and he spent time and money to provide the town with a recreational park.

Emily passed away in 1924. W.B. later married ANNIE HUFF, a woman forty years his junior. W.B. and Annie had four children and adopted Leonard, a child from her first marriage, making W.B. a father of 17 children. Annie was W.B.’s secretary, a poet, great reader, genealogist and talented writer who later proofread for the University of Utah.

The descendants of the Enniss family respectfully pay tribute to their sacrifices and honor the contributions they made to Draper’s proud history.

Old Meeting House – Draper Fort
The north wall of the Old Meeting House stood near this monument. Here (1861-1869) Dr. John R. Park began his career as an educator in Utah. This school produced many of the state’s leaders and left an indelible love for education in Draper. The granite block in this monument was the south step of the old church. This spot was within the enclosure of the old adobe fort 184 yds. x 113 yds. The wall was 14 Ft. high and 3 Ft. thick.