Explore Salt Lake City
Fort Douglas Military Museum
Type: History Museums, Military, Museums
10Best Says
Mormons were the first permanent settlers to arrive in Utah, founding Salt Lake City in 1847. Attracted by the utter lack of other people, this religious group intended to found a nation of their own.... Read More
Mormons were the first permanent settlers to arrive in Utah, founding Salt Lake City in 1847. Attracted by the utter lack of other people, this religious group intended to found a nation of their own. However, the U.S. Federal Government denied their repeated petitions for independence. In the uneasy years leading up to the American Civil War, the government began fearing that the Mormons would side with the Confederate States - and fight against the Northern states - in order to be granted independence. After the war finally broke out, President Lincoln sent soldiers to Utah to monitor the activities of the Mormons. This fort was constructed by those soldiers in 1862, and served as a home to the US Army troops until 1991. The museum today illustrates Fort Douglas' long and rich history as a military center.
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Hours:
- Tue-Sat Noon-5pm
Admissions:
- Free
EXPERT TIPS BY:
Christine Balaz
Salt Lake City Local Expert
- Free Things to Do, Museums: "Combine this visit with a trip to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts or Natural History Museum of Utah, also on the University of Utah Campus."
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