Rocky Redoubt: Fort Piute
by Scott Schwartz
(continued)
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Aside from occasional deep sand, the road was extremely rocky. This made it necessary to drive very slowly. In fact, I kept my transfer case low-range so that it was easier to control my speed here. Averaging 5-10 mph, it was a very long 8 1/2 miles before we came to the ruins of the old Irwin turkey farm. Located right alongside Piute Creek, the area was originally homesteaded by a Thomas Van Slyke in 1930. Von Slyke tried to make a go of growing fruit and grapes, but wound up selling the place to George and Virginia Irwin in 1944.
The Irwins built a home here and tried to raise turkeys. Unable to stop predators from getting into the turkey pens, the Irwins gave up altogether and moved away after a few years.
As I walked among the ruins of the turkey farm, I thought about the Irwins trying to make a life here. I was alone, as my friend and his girlfriend had disappeared into the small forest of trees growing along Piute Creek. Petroglyphs can be found on nearly all of the rocks here. It is thought that these etchings may be over 1000 years old, and no one is really sure what their purpose was. I wondered if the Irwins had much time to contemplate such things.
My pondering was cut short with the realization that it was getting late, and we still wanted to get to Fort Piute. I called to my two companions, and we got back into our vehicles.
It was only another 1/2 mile before we reached the parking area at Fort Piute. I say ”parking area”, because the area surrounding the fort and the corral is closed to vehicular traffic. Visitors must walk to the fort, which is a short distance away.
Upon reaching the ruins of the fort, I stood and looked around. The fort is nestled in a valley. On this day, the surrounding hills were still green from recent rains. Rays of sunlight, coming through the clouds, accentuated the shadows on the hills. Initially, I considered that being posted to such a beautiful spot could not have been too bad. But then, I didn’t have to live, eat, and get shot at here.
The National Park Service has placed an information kiosk at the site, and visitors are free to walk through the foundation of the old fort. However, climbing, walking on, or sitting on the walls are discouraged, as these activities contribute to the deterioration of the structure.
The stone foundation is all that left. The walls seem to be about 5 feet thick, and it looks like there were at least three rooms.
The ruins of the fort’s corral are located nearby. The path between the fort and the corral was once protected by stone walls.
On the day of our visit, we were the only ones at the site. The only sound was that made by an occasional bird.
I could not help standing next to the stone ruins and imagining life as a soldier here. Despite the area’s beauty, the prospect of being killed or wounded here, miles from civilization, could not have been a pleasant one.
Feeling a momentary chill, I looked up at the sky. The sun had not yet dipped behind the hills, so the temperature could not have dropped very much.
Still, I figured that it was time for us to head home.
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