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A copy of the talk given by Mr. Hall at the
Fort Harmony Memorial Serivce 2009

HISTORICAL HARMONY FORT

1853-1862

My professional credo over the years has been: “If you don’t want it done, please don’t ask me to do it!”

In every successful undertaking there is a Cause, a Purpose, a Reason for Being: In 1 Samuel 17:22-51 the story of David & Goliath is told, in verse 29 David responds to his brothers who were angry with him for calling them cowards for allowing the Philistine Champion to bully them for 40 days. David said: “…What have I done? IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?” Today we are engaged in the great CAUSE of the Restoration of Fort Harmony! This is our cause, our motivation & and our ultimate goal!

Saving part of our Historical Past has become a major national priority for America and its people, especially here in the West. Because the West played such a historical role in the development of the American psychic; i.e. “Manifest Destiny” historical sites such as Fort Harmony are being looked at with renewed energy, effort and focus! We need to remember: “If we do not know and understand our past, how can we possibly have the focus and vision for a successful future!”

Historic Harmony Fort is a great example of a relevant Site that played a significant role in the settlement and development of Southwestern Utah, Northwestern Arizona and Southern Nevada over the years. The sphere of influence felt by those associated with the founding and development of Fort Harmony can be seen in every phase of the settlement process; i.e., pioneering, community building, commerce, agriculture, ranching, Native American relations, Missionary Work and additional settlements that sprang from the roots first planted in the soil at Fort Harmony. This reflects the real value of saving this historic site of Southern Utah history.

Because of my dear mother’s love for history, being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughter’s of the Utah Pioneers, I grew up learning about history, loving history and respecting and appreciating those who came before us. All three of my Great Grand Parent Families (Hall’s, Truman’s & Hunt’s) were Pioneers, crossing the Great Plains, settling much of Southern Utah and Eastern Nevada. Because of their faith and perseverance, cities and towns like – Parowan, Paragonah, La Verkin, Santa Clara, St. George, Pine Valley, Gunlock, Hamblin, Clover Valley, Bunkerville, Panaca, Enterprise, Hebron, Panguach, Escalante and New Harmony stand today.

I remember the first time my mother told me the story of the Old Spanish Trail, I remember the feelings I had and the vision of the Santa Fe Merchants leading their string of 150 mules over a dusty trail toward the San Gabriel Mission near Los Angeles. When my mother told me that the Spanish Trail was not too far from our home, I wanted to go out and explore it. My wife and I have either driven or walked the OST from Moab to the San Gabriel Mission. In the near future, we will complete the full OST from Moab to Santa Fe. One day my mother took me to an OST memorial dedication near New Castle erected by the OSTA – the monument still stands there today, we visit it often.

I commend all of you who have committed yourselves to the restoration of Old Fort Harmony. My wife, family and I have visited it before. You see, my uncle Ed & Aunt Amelia (Millie) Adair Hall lived in New Harmony most of their adult life – about 70 years. We visited Uncle Ed & Aunt Millie at New Harmony many times – especially when the apples were ripe and ready to pick. In the late afternoons & evening, we would set in their back yard in view of the spectacular Kolab Bluffs, now called West Zion, just east of I-15 – to me it was breath taking. Uncle Ed & Aunt Millie had 6 son’s – Rouse, Gerald, Leo, Verl, Dean & Horace – these boys were all grown up and married long before I was born, but I was able to meet them over the years at Hall Family Reunions up Parowan Canyon where we would meet every two or three years to remember Job Pitcher Hall, my great grandfather, who was one of the original Pioneers called to settle the “Little Salt Lake” in the fall conference of 1850. They called the settlement Parowan!

My reason for being here today is to provide an overview of the process myself, and other good people, have been involved in for the past 30 years – that is the Reconstruction of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, which was founded by in 1855 when Brigham Young called 30 missionaries to settle what was known as “Las Vegas” – in Spanish, “The Meadows!” I remind you that such Historical Preservation efforts are a Process, not an Event!!!

My first visit to what remained of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort was in 1962 when I walked around what remained of the Old Fort (the southeast corner of the original fort, about 20X70 feet, under very mature cottonwood trees). What remained of the OLVMF was a small adobe brick structure that was “melting quickly” because of the water runoff from the Elk’s Lodge Patio & Gardens adjacent to it. It was a small building at the back side of the luxurious Elks Lodge on Las Vegas Blvd., North of downtown Las Vegas. A member of the DUP who hosted guests during those years informed me that the remaining portion of the Old Fort was one of the two oldest standing buildings in the State of Nevada; the other was part of Mormon Station in Genoa, Nevada, southeast of Carson City. (Years later, Mormon Station burned down and so the OLVMF is the oldest building in Nevada today).

My first meeting with a community member who was all raped up in Preserving the Old Fort was in the early 1970’s when I was Deputy Manager of Clark County, a sister by the name of Mortenson, she was in her late 60’s or early 70’s, came to my office requesting that I help her and the DUP save the OLVMF by encouraging the local governments to purchase the land and the Fort from the Elks Lodge. I remember her zeal for the preservation of the OLVMF, she reminded me of my mother! She, along with many other members of the DUP and community Preservationists, were real fighters. To them, the fight to preserve what remained of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort was Trench Warfare – long and intense, with a goal to preserve it for future posterity!

Sister Mortenson reminded me that the fight by the DUP to save the Old Mormon Fort formally took a positive step forward in 1937 when after a tough lobbying effort; the remaining building of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort and the property it sat on was leased to the DUP by the Elks Lodge for $1 per year. From that date forward, the DUP managed and maintained the Old Fort, never forgetting it focus of Restoration!

In 1972, following intense pressure by the DUP and other historical preservation supporters, the City of Las Vegas purchased the Old Fort property from the Elks Lodge, and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places, thus sanctioning its Historic Authenticity.

In 1991, when I was ready to retire as the City Manager of Las Vegas, I counseled with the Mayor and City Council as to their interest in the continued preservation of the Old Fort. I was informed that with my parting from the City, they felt that there would be little interest or additional effort made to preserve and enhance the Old Fort. Following careful thought on the subject, I asked the Mayor and Council if they would allow me to pursue a transfer of the Old Fort from the City of Las Vegas to the State Historic Parks Department. They said “yes!”

My next action was to meet with three principal Nevada Legislators - Senators Bob Coffin & Ray Rawson, Assemblyman Matt Callister to draft a bill that conveyed the Old Fort to the Nevada State Historic Parks Division, and while we were doing that, it was determined that an additional appropriation of $5M would be included for the purpose of reconstructing a portion of the Old Fort and build new Visitor’s Center/Museum. Rather than making a big deal about the proposed legislation, I quietly worked with members of the state legislature, explaining to them the value of such an effort. The proposed legislation passed unanimously in 1991!

From the time of the passage of the legislation to convey the Fort to the State Historic Parks Department until the Reconstruction of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park was completed in 2005 (14 years) in time for the dedication on the Sesquicentennial (150) founding of the Fort, there were many meetings to discuss just what we wanted. The Friends of the Fort was organized, with the focus, coupled with the DUP & the State Historic Parks Department, to RESTORE as much of the Old Fort as possible, along with the construction of a new Visitor’s Center.

On June 14, 2005, the newly restored Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park was formally dedicated with a great deal of fanfare – each of the participating entities (DUP at the forefront, the Friends of the Fort, the Old Spanish Trail Association, and many other Historical Groups met and dedicated the new facilities.

On June 12th of this year, Las Vegas celebrates the 155th Birthday of the founding of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort with a Hosted Breakfast & Program that was enjoyed by over 900 people.

I am pleased to inform you that during my 21 years of public service and later as the Director of Public Affairs for the Church in Southern Nevada for the past 21 years, I have been requested to host most of the Presidents of the Church, members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12, along with other General Authorities of the Church, at the OLMF – always at their requests!

Today I have brought with me a copy of the Master Plan for the Reconstruction of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort & Visitors Center. Karen, I am pleased present you this copy in hopes that the information contained herein will act as a blue print or model that can be used by the Friends of Fort Harmony in reaching your goals and objectives in Restoring this significant historic site.

One last reminder – the Restoration of Fort Harmony can become a reality if you do not care who gets the credit! The effort will take many hands working tirelessly over a period of years to accomplish your goal. You will need seed money – hopefully there are those among you who will dig into their pockets and help keep the dream alive until it becomes reality!

May the good Lord bless you in your efforts.

Ashley J. Hall

BG Ashley J. Hall, ARNG (Ret.)

USAR Ambassador-Nevada