May Trek to Fillmore Territorial Statehouse and Cove Fort — Cotton Mission Chapter of Sons of Utah Pioneers

Welcome!

We have been "Honoring our Pioneer Forefathers in St. George and Washington City since 1933" — yes, for 92 years, with our chapter organized in its current form since 1989! We are one of 46 local chapter organizations and have been recognized annually with the "Chapter in Excellence" award.

Membership is open to sons (descendants) of Utah pioneers or to those men (and their wives) who just have an interest in promoting and honoring local pioneer heritage. We are actively engaged in Washington City Cotton Days, St. George City Dixie Days and local historical treks. We share pioneer histories and award approximately $15,000 dollars annually to local high school seniors and 2nd grade students.

You can also follow our Facebook page at Cotton Mission Chapter of Sons of Utah Pioneers. We would love to have you join us!

Brad Allen,
2025 Chapter President

Jun 2

Jun 2 May Trek to Fillmore Territorial Statehouse and Cove Fort

Derek Rowley

Trek

by Jerry Johnson

This month, May, the Sons trekked to Fillmore and Cove Fort, Utah. At Fillmore, a Baptist southern bell was the historian docent who told us about the happenings surrounding Fillmore being the first State capital of the huge State of Deseret until the US congress cut the state back to present day Utah. Brigham Young then wanted the capital and legislature to be in Salt Lake City, but the federally appointed Governor Cummings said it was to remain in Fillmore. They did so for one session in which the Legislature moved that the capital of Utah was to be changed to Salt Lake City and that was to be the seat of the Utah congress.

The history of Cove Fort was also very interesting. LDS President Gordon B Hinkley’s grandfather was the one sent down there by the Church to establish a place of safety for those traveling through the area. It is an interesting site of show and tell. We enjoyed the trek very much.