Eagle Gate 1859

Eagle Gate marked the entrance to Brigham Young’s homes on land allotted to him across the mouth of City Creek Canyon during the valley’s early settlement. His New England heritage led him to want the privacy and protection of a high wall around the property. Erected in 1859, the gate became a symbol of the man who built it. The original eagle and supporting beehive were carved from five laminated wooden blocks and rested on carved wooden arches anchored on the cobblestone wall surrounding the estate. Large wooden gates closed the 20-2 foot opening at night, securing the Beehive House, the Lion House, the private offices between them, flower gardens, a private school, and barns, sheds, granaries, silk worm cocooneries, orchards, and a vegetable garden. In 1891 the gates were removed and the entrance widened into a street; at that time the eagle was sent east, electroplated with copper, and raised on new supports resting on cut stone pillars. In 1960, when the street was widened again, the wood under the copper plating had deteriorated and the eagle could not be remounted. A bronze gateway with an eagle scaled up from the original was erected as a tribute to the pioneers who founded this commonwealth.

Salt Lake City, Utah · United States