In 1866 a group of Scandinavian Latter-day Saints entered the area that would become Bear River City, and their first homes were dugouts on the west bank of the Bear River, roofed with poles, willows, straw, and dirt. In the fall of 1867 these early pioneers moved from the river dugouts to establish Bear River Fort as protection from the Indians. The fort was built on this ten acre block, with log and adobe cabins surrounding the entire area. The doors and windows of all 44 cabins faced the center, making the cabin walls the walls of the fort. In the center they erected a flagpole on which Old Glory was unfurled not only on state occasions, but also to call the people to church, the children to school, or to signal that the cow herd was ready to start for the pasture. Wells were dug on three corners of the fort for the water supply, and the animals were corralled outside the fort. A house for public gatherings was erected on the west wall where church, school, dances, and meetings were held. Irrigation from the Malad River was introduced when the area northwest of the fort was farmed.