Victor R. Claveau, MJ
The Prophet’s Block
Brigham’s Block consists of about twenty acres, situated in the northern part of the city, and on the “first bench.” These “benches” are level plateaus, or ridges running along at the base, and parallel with the mountain sides, and rising one above another, in regular succession. They are supposed to have been formed by the action of water, which doubtless at one time, covered the whole country, half way to the mountain tops. These benches overlook the city, which is mostly built on the flats, or bottom lands of the Jordan River. From Brigham’s Bench the view is particularly beautiful, including the lake spread out in all its grandeur to the westward, with mountains rising in and beyond it, and mountains bounding the horizon in every other direction.
The grounds are surrounded by a wall from eight to ten feet in height, built of pebble-stones, cemented with mortar, and strengthened and supported by semicircular buttresses, at equal distances. The main entrance faces south, and the gateway is surmounted by a huge eagle carved in stone, which sits in a very uncomfortable position, and looks as though desirous of soaring to his native hills, or of making a descent upon some of the denizens of earth. His business is to watch and see who enters this sacred precinct, and to see that every third load of wood brought from City Creek (or Brigham’s) Canyon, which leads into this enclosure from the north, is deposited at the Prophet’s door. The only entrance into this canyon is through this gate, and the canyon itself contains the only wood within fifteen miles of the city. The gold also, which it is well understood lies embedded in City Creek Canyon, is thus pretty well guarded.
The grounds are regularly laid out by William C. Staines, one of Brigham’s adopted sons. The Prophet himself is very fond of fruit, and has carried its culture to a considerable degree of perfection. Large numbers of apple, pear, peach, and apricot trees, have been set out, and are producing every year. Grape culture also has not been neglected. It is a custom here to present the President with a specimen of every new variety of fruit and vegetable raised, and he receives very graciously anything presented, from a barrel of brandy to an umbrella, and is sure to think more of the donor, ever afterward.
Everything bears the mark of utility, and nothing is expended for show, or merely to gratify taste. No expensive flower-garden or green-house is to be seen, and this is perfectly characteristic of the Prophet, who is thoroughly utilitarian in all his views and tendencies.
On the southwest corner, and fronting the temple block, stands the tithing-store and office, and the Deseret printing-office. A description of the tithing-office and store, with its concomitant system, is given elsewhere. Back of the tithing-office, is a cattle-yard and barn, and numerous other buildings connected with tithing operations. Also a long row of buildings for various mechanical purposes: a carpenter’s shop, shoe-shop, etc., with a blacksmith’s shop in the rear. A number of small tenements are scattered over the premises, in which some of the employees reside.
The next large building, east of the Deseret store and printing-office, is the “Lion House,” or Harem.
Further to the east, and connected with the Harem by a covered passage-way, is Brigham’s general business office.This is a large room, with three desks on either side; those to the left on entering, being appropriated to the clerks of “Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church,” and those to the right, used by the clerks of “B. Young & Co.” At the end opposite the door is a large platform railed off, and a gallery runs round the upper wall. The bookcases are of the yellow box elder-wood, highly polished. A business-like air pervades the room, and all is neat and clean.
Still further east and connected by another passage-way, is the private office of the “President.” This is a plain, neat room, about twenty-five feet square. A large writing-desk and money-safe, tables, sofas, and chairs, and a “store” carpet, make up the furniture of the room. Back of, and adjoining this, is the sanctum sanctorum; the Prophet’s own private bedroom. Few, even of the family, are permitted to enter this room without special invitation. Here is the “veil,” behind which the Prophet receives his “revelations.” Here he consults on his most private and important matters. He usually occupies this room alone, and when he desires the company of one of his wives, sends a message to that effect. When he is sick, he designates one of them to attend upon him.
The next building to the eastward is the Bee-Hive House, so named from models of bee-hives, on the top and in front of it. The honey-bee is the Mormon symbol, as according to “Reformed Egyptian,” Deseret means “the honey-bee.” As yet, however, the term applies only by faith, to Utah, as that industrious insect is almost an utter stranger to her borders.
The Bee-Hive House is a large, handsome adobe building, excellently plastered on the outside, and dazzlingly white. It is a two-storied tenement, and balconied from ground to roof. On the top is an observatory, surmounted by a bee-hive. Its cost was about $65,000, and it is the best edifice in the Territory.
Eastward still, and farther back from the road, stands the school-house, a white building, with green blinds, and a cupola. Here the children of the Prophet, about fifty in number, are educated. Though not an educated man himself, nor a patron of learning, among the people he employs good teachers, and takes considerable pains in the education of his children.
Farther to the right, upon an eminence, stands the “White House,” occupied by Mrs. Young, the first wife, and her children. This is a very lonesome-looking old house, just such a one as you might fancy to be haunted. It was the first one built by Young, and glass being then very expensive, the windows are few and small.
These, with other smaller buildings, make up the improvements on the Prophet’s Block, and constitute a small town of themselves.
The “Lion House” is a three-storied building. First, a basement, built of stone; then the main building, of wood, with peaked gable, and narrow-pointed Gothic windows, and steep roof. This house cost over $30,000, and would have cost more, but for the economy of the owner. It was completed, ready for the shingles, and the shingles were waiting. At a meeting in the Tabernacle on Sunday, he announced that he had a mission for all the carpenters, and asked if they would accept it. They raised their hands, and were then coolly told to “shingle the Lion House in the name of the Lord, and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood.” A large lion, carved in stone, is placed upon a pillared portico, in front of this edifice, “resting, but watchful.”[1]
[1] Waite, C. V., pp. 277-280.