This joint center was cooperatively funded and built, and is operated by the National Park Service and the Kaibab Paiute. Built by Mormon pioneers in the 1870s, Winsor Castle was the headquarters of a tithing ranch, operated by the Mormon Church. The ranch house/fort was designed as both a headquarters for a tithing cattle ranch and as protection from Indian attacks. The Mormon settlers did not particularly fear the Paiute tribe, which at that time inhabited much of the Arizona Strip, but the Navajo, who would cross the Colorado River at low water and raid both the Paiutes and the settlers. The fortified ranch house was constructed directly over Pipe Spring. The Mormons were only the latest group to be drawn to Pipe Spring, which had attracted people for centuries. The Ancient Puebloans (Anasazi) inhabited the area from approximately 1 A.D. to 1200 A.D. The Paiute tribe followed the Anasazi, and had lived in the Pipe Spring region for nearly three centuries by the time the European settlers began moving into this area.
Below is some shots of the grounds and the interior of Winsor Castle. At one time a telegraph connected Winsor with surronding towns. The operator was an 18 year old female who manned the office 24 hours a day.
Our tour guide
Spring pool behind tour group
Tom, checking out the grounds
Deseret Telegraph
Telegraph office
Spring house lazy susan
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