Established by Mormon Pioneers in 1855, as Fort Cedar Springs. Church President Brigham Young gave permit for the families of William Stevens Sr. and Richard Johnson to start a settlement near these grassy, spring-fed cedar hills.

Joined that fall by eight more families. The small colony began construction of an adobe walled fort to serve as a home for the people and protection from Piute Indians. In use until 1867, it was a place of refuge for the weary frontier traveler. It came to be known as “Buttermilk Fort” because of its dairying industry and its refreshing drink.

In 1858 a Post Office was established and the name changed to honor the memory of Elijah Holden. He had perished in 1857 on the Scipio Pass (nine miles to the north) in a snowstorm, while attempting to save a small boy’s life.

Residents of Holden still radiate the enduring qualities bequeathed them by their hardy pioneering ancestors…thrift, perseverance, and a strong abiding love of God.

Erected 1855-56, was 150 feet long north and south by 75 feet wide. Facing each other and standing 30 feet apart were two rows of adobe houses. The gateways were in the north and south walls.

Richard Johnson and William Stevens, Sr. and families were the pioneers who came in the spring of 1855, five other families from Fillmore followed in the autumn and assisted in constructing the fort, which was completed in the spring of 1856. The townsite was surveyed in 1867 by Edwin King and the name Holden adopted in 1869.

Cedar Springs Fort

(Buttermilk Fort)