Between the years 1902 and 1908, seven houses were built in Pleasant Grove that resemble each other. This house design is found almost exclusively in Utah County. Each of the seven homes has these features: 2 stories high, pyramid roof over the central block, gabbled sections projecting to the front and sides, round-arched or pyramid-arched windows on either the front or side roof slope, and usually a gabled porch.
The first battle between Indians and the Utah Pioneers occurred in February 1849, two miles east of this monument, near the mouth of the canyon, between the Deseret Militia and the Indians. The stream and canyon were named “Battle Creek” from that encounter.
This is U.P.T.L.A. Marker # 56, see other SUP/UPTLA Markers on this page. This historic marker is located in Downtown Park in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
This house was built c.1865 by William Ashton, a native of Alabama and convert to the Mormon church. William and Ellen Elizabeth Croxford Ashton reportedly occupied this house from the time of their marriage, February 6, 1866, until 1880 when they deeded it to Olivia Pratt Driggs and moved to Vernal. Olivia and Benjamin Driggs, a local merchant, loved in it until 1906. The house was left unoccupied until 1917 when Clarence A Gammett purchased it and began restoration. The Gammetts lived here until 1968.
The Greek Revival style home is built of hand-cut “soft rock” or tufa stone, quarried from springs at the base of nearby Mahogany Mountain. Soft rock was the most popular building material in Pleasant Grove between the 1860s and about 1900. This two-story central-passage house is perhaps the oldest remaining soft-rock house in town. A post-World War I two story rear addition of soft rock replaced an original lean-to. The front porch and carriage house were added in the 1970s.
The Ashton-Driggs House is located at 119 East 200 South (Battle Creek Drive) in Pleasant Grove, Utah and was added to the National Historic Register (#72001261) on April 14, 1972.
Benjamin W. Driggs Home Built c.1882 of tufa stone for Olivia Pratt Driggs on the site of Fort Battle Creek. Birthplace of King Driggs, father of the “King Family.” Restoration by the Jack West, Jrs. Since 1968.
The home was built c. 1882 by Benjamin Woodbury Driggs for his first wife Olivia Pratt Driggs. It Is significant because of the people that have lived there, because it is a unique stone home, and because it has been restored with loving care.
The site is within the area of the original stone fort of Battle Creek, The Driggs purchased the property In 1882. Benjamin Driggs was a pioneer, colonizer, railroad builder and owner of the Battle Creek Co-op, a successful general mercantile establishment. Olivia was the eldest daughter of the noted Mormon, Parley P. Pratt. She bore 12 children. William King Driggs, who was the 12th and the only one to be born in the rock house, is the forefather of the television personalities, The King Family.
The home is unique with its 2′ thick walls, built of rich colored and textured “soft rock” or tufa stone, quarried from the lower slopes of Mt. Timpanogas in a quarry just four miles to the north. It is one of the best examples of the stone homes in Utah and certainly one of the most important *n terms of the recent attention and care it has received.
The restoration of the home began in 1917 when Clarence A. Gammett purchased the abandoned home. Then ensued a careful restoration of the home and gardens. After the death of the Gammetts, the home was purchased by lack West, Jr. In 1968. He and his family continued the restoration with quality effort and have carefully gathered furnishings authentic to the original era of the home. The Wests, upon completion of their restoration project, held an open house and gala affair hosting more than 2,500 persons.
Civil War Skirmish at Pleasant Grove 12 April 1863
Not all Federal Troops fought Confederates during the Civil War. Some were posted in the West to protect Union interests. Battles and skirmishes in the West were considered part of the Civil War. *
Col. Patrick Conner and the 3rd Reg. California Volunteer Infantry were sent to Utah in 1862, to protect mail routes, telegraph lines, travelers and to watch the Mormons. They established Camp Douglas, now Fort Douglas, in Salt Lake City. Indians started attacking the Overland Stage Route. In April of 1863, as events escalated, troops were sent to find the hostile Indians. They had skirmishes with Indians near Cedar Fort and in Spanish Fork Canyon. A squad of gunners with a howitzer, under Lt. Honeyman, was dispatched from Camp Douglas.
They reached Pleasant Grove 11 April 1863. The morning of the 12th, Ute Indians used the walls of the Pleasant Grove Fort to sneak up on the soldiers and attack them. The gunners took refuge in the Green’s home outside the fort. The family was allowed to leave but realized that the baby was still in the home. Because the family had been on good terms with the Utes, they stopped firing to allow Mrs. Green to retrieve the baby. During the fighting the gunners fired the howitzer only to kill mules and damage property. The skirmish ended at 8 p.m. when the Utes left, stealing the remaining mules. No soldiers were killed. It is unknown if any Utes died. Estimated damage to the home was $1000. The Cavalry arrived in Pleasant Grove on the 13th. They followed the Ute trail to Spanish Fork Canyon, and with the soldiers already there routed the combined Indian forces.
An old monument, at what is thought to be the site of the John and Sarah Green home, can be found 3 blocks south of this location. It is best reached by walking along the east sidewalk on 100 East.
Pioneer home of John and Sarah Green where much of the skirmish between Federal Troops and Utes took place.
Erected 2017 Eagle Scout Service Project: Ethan Adamson BSA Troop 1182 With the Timpanogos Chapter Sons of the Utah Pioneers Thanks to the City of Pleasant Grove
* A book listing Battles and Skirmishes of the War Of The Rebellion (Civil War) was compiled from official records by Newton A. Strait and was used by the Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions. The Pleasant Grove skirmish is listed in this book.
Pleasant Grove City was founded by Mormon Pioneers in 1850 as one of the first communities that Brigham Young sent people to establish. Pioneer Park, also known as Pioneer Heritage Park, was created by Pleasant Grove City in 1947 as a place where people learn about Pleasant Grove’s history. Items displayed in Pioneer Park have some connection to the settlement, history, people or cultural life of Pleasant Grove, or were donated by individuals or groups with a historical connection or strong ties to the community.
