In 1852 Mormon pioneers who had settled on American Fork Creek received orders to build a fort for protection from Indians. Most cabins were moved into an enclosure 80 by 74 rods, covering 37 acres. By 1855 each of the families built a wall 12 by 6 feet across the rear of his lot, using clay poured into log forms. A tax was levied to erect a corral in the center of the fort with gates at the corners. The bell was on the first city hall and tolled for all meetings and curfew at nine.