Brigham Young Historic Park

Honored for his roles as pioneer, colonizer, governor, and religious leader, Brigham Young (1801–77) was best known as simply “Brother Brigham.”

Brigham Young on his 70th birthday, June 1, 1871.
© by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 

The entrance to the Brigham Young Historic Park.
Kathie and W. Jeffrey Marsh

A beloved leader and wise counselor, he served as President of the Church from 1847 until his death in 1877. This historic park is a representation of the lives and industry of Brigham Young and the early pioneers. Statues in the park depict pioneering efforts.

The waterwheel in the Brigham Young Historical Park is powered by City Creek.
David M. Whitchurch

Items such as the waterwheel powered by City Creek, a portion of the old wall of Brigham Young’s farm that stands in place, and the gardens are all reminiscent of the farm once found here. The Young’s family estate, which included this site, extended north of Eagle Gate nearly three blocks. It included the eastern half of the block where the Lion and Beehive Houses are located and continued east up the hill for approximately two blocks. The property was large enough to accommodate carpenter and shoe shops, as well as a pigeon house, barns, sheds, and corrals. What they called the “upper garden” had vegetables, fruits, and an orchard of apple, peach, pear, and walnut trees, as well as beehives.

Statues in the park depict various pioneering activities. Stonecutters are shown at work with hammer and chisel.
David M. Whitchurch

On October 2, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley jointly dedicated City Creek Park (across the street to the north) and the Brigham Young Historic Park as places that would “afford refuge from the rush and hurry of the city [and] provide a place where the weary may sit and rest with the soft music of moving water [and] provide an oasis for contemplation and reflection.” Besides the pleasant surroundings, a variety of concerts are held in the evenings during the summer months, making this park a unique oasis in downtown Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young’s layout of Salt Lake City began at Temple Square, and surrounding ten-acre blocks were subdivided for homes.
David M. Whitchurch

On the inside of the west wall of the Brigham Young Historic Park are two plaques honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith for his ingenious design in laying out a city. Following the pattern established by Moses in the Old Testament, Joseph proposed a city with a temple in the center and streets running north-south and east-west from there. Farming areas were located on the outskirts of town, allowing the farmer and his family to enjoy all the urban advantages of schools, public lectures, and social gatherings.

This plaque notes an award for city design. Salt Lake City was laid out according to the pattern revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith for the city of Zion.
David M. Whitchurch

Brigham Young Historic Park contains several statues of individuals engaged in activities typical of the era.
David M. Whitchurch

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