THE SALT LAKE PIONEER CHAPTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING
HISTORIC MONUMENTS WITHIN OUR CHAPTER JURISDICTION

Grave of Brigham Young | UPTLA #78

LOCATION: 150 East 1st Avenue (GPS: N40 46 12.20, W111 53 08.03)

"I, Brigham Young, wish my funeral services to be conducted in the following manner:

"When I breathe my last I wish my friends to put my body in as clean and wholesome state as can conveniently be done, and preserve the same for one, two, three or four days, or as long as my body can be preserved in a good condition. I want my coffin made of plump 1 1/4 inch boards, not scrimped in length, but two inches longer than I would measure, and from two to three inches wider than is commonly made for a person of my breadth and size, and deep enough to place me on a little comfortable cotton bed, with a good suitable pillow for size and quality; my body dressed in my temple clothing, and laid nicely into my coffin, and the coffin to have the appearance that if I wanted to turn a little to the right or to the left, I should have plenty of room to do so. The lid can be made crowning.

"At my interment I wish all of my family present that can be conveniently, and the male members wear no crepe on their hats or on their coats; the females to buy no black bonnets, nor black dresses, nor black veils; but if they have them they are at liberty to wear them. The services may be permitted, as singing and a prayer offered, and if any of my friends wish to say a few words, and really desire, do so; and when they have closed their services, take my remains on a bier, and repair to the little burying ground, which I have reserved on my lot east of the White House on the hill, and in the southeast corner of this lot, have a vault built of mason work large enough to receive my coffin, and that may be placed in a box, if they choose, made of the same material as the coffin—redwood. Then place flat rocks over the vault sufficiently large to cover it, that the earth may be placed over it—nice, fine, dry earth—to cover it until the walls of the little cemetery are reared, which will leave me in the southeast corner. This vault ought to be roofed over with some kind of a temporary roof. There let my earthly house or tabernacle rest in peace, and have a good sleep, until the morning of the first resurrection; no crying or mourning with anyone as I have done my work faithfully and in good faith.” . . . (Brigham Young, Preston Nibley, 538)


Private Schoolhouse | UPTLA #35

LOCATION: NE Corner of South Temple & State Streets (GPS: N40 46 10.52, W111 53 17.24)

Stood where the Eagle Gate Apartments now stand. Built in 1860 within the Brigham Young estate and is where Brigham Young's own children attended school.

Eagle Gate | UPTLA #34

LOCATION: State Street & South Temple, Marker next to Eagle Gate, on sidewalk

The monument was erected in 1859 and commemorates the entrance to Brigham Young's property, and designed by his son Don Carlos Young. The original wooden eagle was replaced with a bronze copy and is currently on display at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum located at 300 North Main Street. Due to the widening of State Street in the early 1960s, the original eagle and archway was replaced with a much wider and larger third generation Eagle Gate, designed by George Cannon Young, son of Don Carlos Young.

The Beehive House | UPTLA #50

LOCATION: State Street & South Temple, Marker on the Side of House by Entrance

Brigham Young's Office | UPTLA #52

LOCATION: State Street & South Temple, Marker on Side of House by Entrance

Lion House | UPTLA #51

LOCATION: State Street & South Temple, Marker on Side of House by Entrance

Salt Lake Base & Meridian | UPTLA #12

LOCATION: Main & South Temple, Marker on Side of Temple Square Wall

Once President Brigham Young said, "Here we will build the temple," the Saints began laying out the city. On August 3, 1847, less than two weeks after entering the valley, Apostle Orson Pratt chose this point to be the southeast corner of the new temple block to not only survey the block, but the entire city. Everything measures back to this intersection of that baseline (East/West or latitude line) and meridian (North/South or longitude line), and is believed to be the earliest base meridian in the western United States. This point became the origin of the city’s street system, as well as the the entire Great Basin. Eight years later a stone monument was cut, the original of which resides in the Museum of Church History and Art. Throughout the years horse-drawn snowplows, among other things, frequently hit the monument. In 1932 a protective iron fence was put around the stone and a commemorative plaque was placed on the wall next to it. On August 17, 1989 the current sandstone replica replaced the original marker.

Honor Thy Father & Thy Mother: Old Folk's Day | UPTLA #65

LOCATION: Main Street & South Temple, Marker on Backside of Charles R. Savage Monument

Initiated by Utah's famous photographer, Charles R. Savage. The first Old Folks' Day was celebrated on May 14, 1875, when 180 elderly men and women were entertained at Lake Point on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. They enjoyed rides aboard the steamer "City of Corinne," and were treated to refreshments and dancing before returning home, tired, perhaps a little sore, but rejoicing in the change of scenery. Old Folks' Day caught on, spreading to other communities in Utah and surrounding states, celebrated annually until its discontinuance in 1970.


Pioneer Telegraph Offie | UPTLA #D

LOCATION: 75 South Main Street, Sidewalk of City Creek Center

On October 18, 1861, workers strung the last set of wires to a utility pole where this monument stands. The first message sent was to Cleveland, Ohio on that date by Church President Brigham Young, expressing congratulations to the Overland Telegraph Company and assuring Utah’s loyalty to the Union. The following day, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln sent, “The completion of the telegraph to Great Salt Lake City is auspicious of the stability and union of the republic. The government reciprocates your congratulations.”


Social Hall Avenue | UPTLA #20

LOCATION: 95 S State Street Annex. Beneath the Avenue. Between State Street and Harmon's, take the escalator down.

Built in 1852, Social Hall was the first public building in Utah. A center for social and cultural events, the Social Hall was built from local sandstone. The first floor included a dining area with tables, benches, and a fully equipped kitchen; the upper story had a 20' x 40' stage and a large dance floor. The entire structure was demolished in 1922, but then foundational remains were uncovered in 1991 during excavations and a museum was erected above ground to preserve them. With the new City Creek 95 State Office Tower, further improvements have been made into a joint annex to access the tower and Harmon's Grocery plaza.

Pony Express Station | UPTLA #8

LOCATION: 163 South Main, Marker on Sidewalk

Pioneer Square | UPTLA #23

LOCATION: 300 South 300 West, inside Pioneer Park (GPS 40.762318, -111.900109)

The 10-acre Pioneer Square was considered Utah’s “Plymouth rock.” This is the site of the Saints first settlement, houses, and organized government in what was called “The Old Fort.” Even the reorganization of the First Presidency took place here in October 1880. The Fort was ordered to be torn down by April 1851 and became a railroad depot.

In July 1898 it was dedicated as Pioneer Square Park, even though the grounds weren't completed until 1903. Emmeline B. Wells recorded in her diary on Monday, July 25, 1898, “Prest. Woodruff who is ninety one years old was present and spoke so everyone around him and all the people could hear him.” President Woodruff was only one of two members of the original pioneer Vanguard Company present and took the opportunity to recount the events of their first day in the Valley. Utah Congressman William H. King spoke, “Nothing which we can say upon this occasion will more fully dedicate this spot. The act of consecration occurred 51 years ago, when the pioneers ended their memorable and perilous journey, and determined that here a city should be builded.” The closing address was made by Judge Charles C. Goodwin, “As we meet to rededicate this spot made sacred by their first consecration of it; we can render to their memories no higher honor, we can do nothing higher for ourselves, than to resolve to adopt the course which they adopted—to perform each our daily duties, under such lights as may be given us, and to leave the rest to God.” The dedicatory prayer was then offered by President George Q. Cannon.

On December 3rd, 2020 the SUP Salt Lake Pioneer Chapter held a ceremony to the newly restored monument. Val Parish, Chapter President conducted. Brad Clayton, SUP National President spoke, with Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. of the Seventy offering the dedicatory prayer.