The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased this ranch in the early 1870s to operate as a tithing ranch. Pioneer members of the church, unable to pay their tithe in cash would donate cattle which were raised here. Dairy and meat products were prepared (in the fortified house up the hill) and then distributed to the church members and the needy. Carts would enter one end of the fort and exit the other, bringing supplies and leaving with meat and dairy goods.