A Brief History of Fences and Their Uses

Fences, or at least the concept of fences, have been around for centuries in some form or another. Dating back to earlier societies, fences have long been a way of marking property and keeping boundary lines intact – among other uses.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, we stock a wide range of fence materials, from traditional wood fences to modern vinyl fences and many others. We’re appreciative and cognizant of the long history behind the materials and concepts we utilize, all while bringing you 2019 solutions to all your fencing needs and desires. Let’s go over a very brief and general history of fences in the United States, plus how they’ve evolved into the modern materials you see today.

Early Security Uses

Even stretching back well before the US was formed, fences have been used by individuals and families to secure their homes and property. Before building walls and ditches were popular themes, people would chop tree branches and other strong materials to create makeshift fences around their homes.

This allowed them to keep livestock and other possessions behind an enclosure, protecting them from thieves, predators or escape. Within the world of farming and several others, this remains a primary purpose for fencing.

Boundary Definition

By the early period of the United States, even dating back to before its official formation in the late 1700s, settlers had begun to spread out within this vast continent. As individuals and families moved west, the only way to mark land was to fence it in – and this also began to double as a way to mark property. These were older times where whoever first settled on land often simply claimed it, and building a fence was a great way to make this claim.

Public Vs Private Land

As American civilization became more organized, fences also began to be vital tools for marking the boundaries between private and public land. Laws began to form regarding practices that were legal or illegal depending on whether you were in a public or private area, such as limitations on livestock grazing on public land.

Once again, this is a theme that persists even today. All 50 US states now require fencing in many types of land, plus repairing and maintaining proper fencing.

Style Plus Security

And with time, while fencing continued to maintain practical uses such as marking property and separating private from public land, aesthetics and style also began to trickle in. Property owners are able to accessorize their spaces with numerous modern fence options, plus accessories and color schemes to match other landscaping aesthetics. Modern fencing materials allow for this kind of thing without sacrificing one bit of privacy, security or other functional needs.

For more on the history of fencing, or to learn about any of our fence contractors or other services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.