The Fruita Rural Historic District is a small green valley located among the cliffs of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park Utah. Early Mormon settlers farmed this 200 acre area that produced fruit orchards and a variety of vegetables and livestock. In 1908, Calvin Pendleton built a small home, barn and smokehouse for his family. After 8 years he sold his farm to the Jorgensen family who lived there till 1928 and then sold it to Dewey Gifford. The Gifford family lived and farmed here for 41 years and it is now known as the Gifford Homestead. In 1969 the National Park Service acquired the property as a cultural demonstration site to interrupt the early Mormon settlement of the Fruita valley. |
