“Travel the Golden Pass, open July fourth (1849). Immigrants coming into the valley may now avoid the difficult routes over Big and Little Mountains by taking the new route. Several thousand dollars have been spent by the proprietor.” So ran part of an advertisement in the third issue of the Deseret News of June 29, 1850.
Parley P. Pratt, having been through the mouth of Parley’s Canyon as well as traversed the Emigration Canyon route, decided that with a certain amount of effort he could make the Parley’s Canyon route much easier than the other. He made a road from what was called Dell Fork, where the Mountain Dell Reservoir is located, down to what eventually became the center of Sugar House, at about what now is Twenty-first South and Eleventh East Streets. Due to the narrowness of Parley’s Canyon, the road crossed the stream sixteen times en-route. It was not a super highway but far surpassed the route down Emigration Canyon. Although some travelers complained about the roughness of the road, those familiar with both routes still preferred it to the original route. To help reimburse Pratt for the costs of construction, a toll or passage fee was charged. The advertisement continues: $.75 for a two-horse outfit, ten cents for each additional pack or saddle animal, and sheep a mere cent per head.”
The toll gate was located on the north side of the stream directly below where the SUP Headquarters is located on the south rim of the canyon at 3300 East Street. Impressions of the old dirt road still can be seen in the hollow, running in front of the relic foundations of Dudler’s Inn. The road ran along the north side of Suicide rock, and when the railroad was introduced it passed the rock on its south side.
A big celebration was held upon the opening of the new road on July 4, 1850. Thus was presented a new route where incoming travelers, whether in wagons, on horseback, the Pony Express, handcarts, walking or eventually even with a stage coach, might safely make their way into the valley.
Eventually the road became part of the transcontinental Lincoln Highway and later I-80 and all follow the mouth of the canyon to the turn-off for East Canyon, now at Jeremy’s Ranch, and later east of Silver Creek Junction in Echo Canyon where the trail turns north to Echo and points east.
This is SUP Marker #76, to see the other SUP Markers visit this page. This marker is located in Parley’s Historic Nature Park along with 4 others (listed on the park’s page).
Parley’s Creek, originally known by the Indian name Obit-Ki-Ke-Che Creek, was the largest stream of water which flowed from the Wasatch Mountains into the valley. This creek had beginning high in the Wasatch Mountains to the north near what became known as Pratt’s Pass, near Lookout Peak. It ran through the pass near Little Mountain Summit and over into Parley’s Canyon where it was joined by other streams on its journey into the valley. From its entrance into the valley the water coursed its way northwest until it finally joined the Jordan River near Fifth South Street on its way to Great Salt Lake.
With the growth area west and north of the mouth of Parley’s Canyon, it became apparent that a way had to be found to carry the water to those needing it. Ditches were dug which were fine for those living in the bottom lands of the hollow, but it was soon determined that its walls were to be built with a conduit running along its top, like those done by the ancient Romas but on a much smaller scale, water could be lifted up to the plateaus on the north and south sides of the hollow. A water commission was formed of property owners in the bottoms as well as on the north and south plateau areas to determine how this was to be done as well as to see that the water was fairly distributed.
The walls were built of sandstone blocks from the canyon and were constructed with the channel on the top to convey the water as needed. The reservoir was built in 1891 and the walls shortly after. Only a relatively small segment remains. It is still a handsome piece of masonry, forty feet high where it cut across a ravine and an arch was laid up to allow for the water draining through the ravine to be unhampered in its course to Parley’s Creek. Early photographs show lombardy poplars had been planted along the route, at least along the segment still extant.
This section of the north wall is all that remains of either wall. The rocks were either abandoned in place or lifted out and used for construction of other buildings or left on the valley floor. The water needs were provided for in the construction of the Mountain Dell Reservoir five miles up the canyon in 1915.
This is SUP Marker #77, to see the other SUP Markers visit this page. This marker is located in Parley’s Historic Nature Park along with 4 others (listed on the park’s page).
After the opening of the Golden Pass Road through Parley’s Canyon, the canyon became more accessible for the cutting and hauling of wood to be used in construction of homes and industrial ventures. Lamb’s Canyon, near the top of the canon was a prime source for these materials. However, it was soon discovered that the developing industries needed more than wood fuel and water power. Pioneers were sent in various directions to attempt to locate coal deposits. Those sent to the area of the present location of Coalville, Utah, found a brown coal called lignite, east of the townsite up Chalk Creek. Brigham Young immediately formed a coal operation at the site. The coal was dug and hauled by wagon over Silver Creek and Kimball’s Junction, over Parley’s Summit and down the canyon into the valley. A ton of coal then cost $8.00 and the hauling charge was $1.50.
Shortly after the coming of the railroad to the west in 1869, a railroad line connecting Salt Lake and points south was installed from Corinne, in 1869. In 1871, a branch railroad line going north connecting Coalville to the main line at Echo was begun by Summit County Railroad. It was a narrow gage line which served, starting in 1873. The coal was there transferred into the standard gage cars of the UP Railroad which continued thence through Corinne and Ogden, into Salt Lake.
On June 11, 1874, the Eastern Utah Railroad was incorporated to build a narrow gage rail line from Coalville south to the Park City mines. In 1880, the Union Pacific Railroad Co. obtained the lines from Park City north to Echo and replaced them with a standard gage line, which was finally completed in 1888. About this same time, the Salt Lake & Eastern Railroad Co. completed the narrow gage line from Salt Lake City to Park City Mines in 1890. In 1900, the Rio Grande Railroad Co. took over the lines through Parley’s Canyon to Park City and changed them to standard gage. They also acquired the lines from Park City north to Echo. The line through Parley’s Canyon continued not only as a freight train, but carried passengers as well until the service was discontinued from Sugar House through the canyon in the 1940s. Freight service to Sugar House continued for some years after this date.
This is SUP Marker #78, to see the other SUP Markers visit this page. This marker is located in Parley’s Historic Nature Park along with 4 others (listed on the park’s page).
Early in 1870, Joseph Dudler, owner and operator of the Inn which was on the ground level of his house, built a brewery in back of his house here in Parley’s Hallow. To Provide for this, in addition to the brewery proper, located on adjacent property west and north of the Inn, he extended his entire earlier building sixteen feet further into the north side of the valley. To this extension he added what came to be known as the wine cellar. He built this rock-walled, underground cellar for a store room as well as storage for the products of his brewery. The walls and roof of the cellar, which still retain their structural integrity, average two-and-one-half feet thick and the walls were ten-feet high. The labor expended to excavate the basement, the cellar, and to erect the two-and-one-half story building of the house and inn, would have been a tremendous task. There were no backhoes, front-end loaders, no dump trucks or cranes in those days to help in the construction; just back-breaking, muscle-straining, hard work. The structure of the cellar was so well designed that over a half-century later, when crews came to clean up what was left of the burned-out building, this stone work that comprises the cellar, supported the weight of the “Cat” when the ground was leveled.
Just to the west and a little bit north of the cellar was a tall brick chimney on the north end of a small frame building which was the brewery proper. This chimney remained for many years having outlasted the frame brewery building, but it too has long since fallen to the ravages of time as did the brewery building itself much earlier. Joe Dudler was a carpenter by trade and a brewer by profession and the following years would prove his proficiency at both.
When Joe first set up his first brewery at this location, he called it the Philadelphia Brewery. He sold his products not only at the inn, but also a little later at his Philadelphia Brewery Saloon in downtown Salt Lake City. His inn was also known for a time as Dudler’s Summer Resort and simply as Dudler’s Saloon.
In the early 1900’s his son Frank and daughter Retta ran the saloon at Parley’s Hollow while their father set up a saloon and ran his famous business in Park City. Joseph Dudler died in 1897.
This is SUP Marker #80, to see the other SUP Markers visit this page. This marker is located in Parley’s Historic Nature Park along with 4 others (listed on the park’s page).
Located at 2740 S 2700 E in Salt Lake, Parley’s Historic Nature Park is a large area with trails for hiking, biking, running, dog walking. There is a creek and several historic markers and a lot to see.
The land was called Hansen Hollow before Harvey D. Hansen donated it to be used by the public.
Name unknown but surely well-loved was in 1848 the first to be laid to rest in this historic Holladay Memorial Park. The cemetery, second in the valley, was begun under the direction of Brigham Young. The streams, rolling hills and mountain views make this a beautiful location.
The Holladay Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers have erected this monument, sculpted by Stan Watts, to honor our pioneer forefathers sent to settle in the area of the Springs, called Spring Creek. The Pioneer Mississippi Company, with its leader John Holladay, first called the settlement Holladay’s Burgh.
In 1848, when the first pioneer death occurred in Holladay, the cemetery knoll southeast of here, overlooking lowland watery meadows of a then meandering Big Cottonwood Creek, was selected as a community cemetery. Tradition has it that the first burial was a baby.
For 127 years, local LDS Church leadership oversaw this 13-acre cemetery in behalf of the entire community. In 1975 the cemetery was sold.
In early pioneer Utah times, burial was generally 1 to 2 days after death. Families themselves often dug the grave 5 to 6 feet deep. The deceased person was dressed in regular clothing or in a burial shroud (a long nightgown-type of burial dress) and placed in a snug fitting wooden box or in blankets and cloth material. Funerals were a community affair, most persons participating one way or another – attended the funeral at church, providing food for participants after the service, or helping the bereaved family do their chores.
Located in Holladay, the Memorial Holladay Cemetery, also called Holladay Memorial Park is a beautiful cemetery with monuments, memorials and graves from pioneers to the area and recent.
Erected about 1852 by President Brigham Young as the Official Residence of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and occupied by him from the time it was completed until his death in 1877.
From 1852 to 1855 it also served as the Executive Mansion of Governor Brigham Young of the Territory of Utah.
It was also the home of presidents Lorenzo Snow (1898 – 1901) and Joseph F. Smith (1901 – 1918), both of whom died here.
The Beehive is the State Emblem signifying industry.
The Utah Historic Site plaque says the Beehive House was built in 1854 of adobe brick, the architect was Truman O. Angell and it was the home of Brigham Young, the 2nd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and 1st Governor of the Territory of Utah.
Tourstop 5 in the Salt Lake City Tour says: The Beehive House served as Brigham Young’s residence, office, and reception area for official visitors. At the time the house was built, Young was both president of the LDS Church and Utah’s territorial governor. The Beehive House was designed by Young’s brother-in-law, Truman O. Angell. Angell was also the architect for the Lion House and the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Built of stuccoed adobe, the Beehive House features a two-story veranda, an observatory, and a cupola topped with a beehive. Young’s son added a three-story wing to the north when he remodeled the house in 1888. In the early 1960s, the LDS Church restored the Beehive House to resemble its 1888 appearance.
(from Preservation Utah’s walking tour) The Beehive House 67 East South Temple 1853-1855, Truman O. Angell, SLC 30-minute guided tours available every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, 10:00 am-1:00 pm.
The Beehive House served as Brigham Young’s residence, office, and reception area for official visitors. It was designed by Young’s brother-in-law, Truman O. Angell. Angell, one of Utah’s prominent early architects, also designed the Lion House and the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. The Greek Revival style Beehive House features a two-story veranda, an observatory, and a cupola topped with a beehive. Young’s son added a three-story wing to the north after he purchased the house in 1888.
In addition to the Beehive House and the Lion House, Young’s walled estate fronting South Temple also included the White House, a family schoolhouse, carpenter shop, barns, orchards, and gardens. The Eagle Gate at the intersection of South Temple and State streets marks the original entrance to Young’s multipurpose compound. The Eagle Gate also provided access to City Creek Canyon to the northeast. See the marker on the northeast corner of the intersection for a history of the Eagle Gate.
In the early 1960s, the LDS Church restored the Beehive House and opened it as a house museum. Guided tours of the building are available daily.
From the nomination form for the National Historic Register:
The beautiful old mansion Is the pioneer home of Brigham Young, but It in 1851. Today’s workmen, under the direction of architects (all grandsons of Brigham Young) have done a remarkable job of restoration. The outside adobe brick walls have been painted in the original straw-colored yellow, which gives the manor a gay, but antique appearance of the original.
The Beehive House was built to meet the dual needs of Brigham Young, second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first governor of the state of Deseret, later Utah Territory. Above all, however, the Beehive House was a home for his family. It was also used as an official mansion where the Mormon leader received and conferred with other Church leaders, state and federal dignitaries, and entertained prominent traveling officials. During the life of Brigham Young, many famous people were entertained in the Beehive House, including President Ulysses S. Grant, Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil, General William T. Sherman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Jay Gould, Horace Greeley, and even the midget Tom Thumb and his tiny wife.
In 1893, the Church purchased the historic building to make it the official residence of its presidents. Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith were the only two succeeding presidents to live in it. After the death of President Smith, the house stood vacant for a number of years, and was again remodeled and maintained as an away-from-home residence for young women who came to the city to work or attend school.
In 1959, when the Church decided to restore the Beehive House, a committee made up primarily of descendants of Brigham Young was chosen to carry out the task. Research and detective work on the part of this committee took 18 months to complete, and included the use of old manuscripts describing the house, the search for Brigham Young’s furnishings, and the discovery of “clues” beneath old plaster to find tell-tale evidences of still earlier construction. The “Manuscript” had been written by Clarissa Young Spencer who lived in the Beehive House from childhood until after her marriage.
Heavy coats of paint and wallpaper were peeled away, revealing the original colors and patterns. False ceilings were torn down, exposing ornate medallions which pioneer craftsmen installed in 1854.
With restoration and furnishing complete, the lovely mansion is now open for tours to the public. In its location, it is near Temple Square, a National Landmark, and the Lion House, which adjoins it on the west, and which is also a National Landmark.
The design of the Beehive House follows the 19th century Greek revival in architecture. The architect was Truman O. Angel, who also designed the many-spired Salt Lake Temple, Some of the original drawings for the Beehive house, fortunately, were found in the archives of the Church Historian’s Office shortly after work on the restoration had begun in 1959, and proved invaluable in the complete restoration of the home.
As originally built, the main part of the house consisted of two stories and an attic, surmounted by a beehive-shaped cupola, the traditional Mormon symbol of industry which was to give the home its name. Surrounding this tower is a a steel-railed (originally was wood) “widow’s watch,” reminiscent of the colonial coast.
Since the death of Brigham Young, the Beehive House has undergone two major alterations. The first was made by a son who purchased the home in 1888. Under this remodeling, the rear section was rebuilt into a three-storied wing. The formal dining room downstairs also was extensively remodeled, and an upstairs sitting room and parlor added.
The “adobe” walls were found to be in remarkably good condition. When later additions were torn out (during restoration), the walls revealed the exact location of stairs, halls, doorways, partitions and roof lines as described in the old manuscripts and original plans. With restoration, wide pine board floors, laid with square nails replaced the hardwood (not original.)
In the 1850’s, Brigham Young had a nine-foot high cobblerock wall erected around the Beehive House as protection from unfriendly intruders and as a make-work project for men who needed employment. Portions of this same wall (recently pushed back 23 feet to widen State Street north of Eagle Gate now border the home on the north and east sides. A low wrought-iron fence stands in front of the house where the big wa11 once stood.
The oak-finished door, now painted white, with its silver doorknob opens onto the main hallway. The doorbell system installed by Brigham Young was discovered and restored. Downstairs were Brigham Young’s bedroom, the Parlor and kitchen; on the second floor the “long hall” for entertaining guests, and Brigham Young:1 s offices.
The lovely home is now authentically restored and furnished with furniture from Brigham Young and his family, and from other period furniture at a cost to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approximating one-half million dollars.
