The west gate of the fort was built in 1853 and was the prominent entrance. The east gate was not completed until 1856. This drawing of Bingham Fort appeared in the Victory News, Oct. 15, 1943, p. 6, a publication of the Utah Army Service Forces Depot. In the right-hand lower corner of the drawing are these words: Bingham’s Fort, 1851- at Depot site. As described by David S. Tracy now 91 years old, who attended school in the fort schoolhouse (correct date for the fort is 1853). [1]
Many other fort drawings show that Bingham Fort’s main entrance faced west toward the prominent Indian camping grounds of Business Depot Ogden and northwest to Stone's Pond. In addition, the fastest road into Ogden was Mill Creek Lane which was also west of the fort. The cabins of Bishop Bingham, Sam Gates, and the fort military commander, Isaac Newton Goodale were all located near the west gate.
[1] - Depot Located on Historic Ground, Bingham’s Fort Close-By, VICTORY NEWS, Utah Army Services Forces Depot, Oct 15, 1943, p. 6.