Historic Pendleton Barn Capitol Reef National Park Utah

More Info:

The Pendleton Barn is a historic stone and timber structure located in Capitol Reef National Park near the Fruita historic district- about a mile from the park visitor center. Built by early settler James Pendleton (or attributed to the Pendleton family) in the late 19th to early 20th century, the barn served local ranching and farming needs in the orchards and small agricultural community that once thrived in the Capitol Reef area.

Key features:

• Construction: Rough-hewn timber framing with local stone foundations and masonry elements typical of frontier vernacular construction.

• Setting: Sits near the Fremont River and the historic Fruita orchards, surrounded by cottonwoods and the park’s redrock cliffs.

• Function: Originally used for storing feed, equipment, and sheltering livestock supporting nearby homesteads and orchard operations.

• Historic value: Represents the agricultural and settlement history of the Fremont River valley and contributes to the Fruita district’s collection of historic structures interpreted by the park.

• Access: Visible from the Fruita area; check current park information for exact access and preservation status.

For visitors: The Pendleton Barn is part of the historic landscape that illustrates early pioneer life in Capitol Reef and complements orchard trails, the Gifford Homestead, and other preserved farm buildings in the Fruita Historic District.