Beehive House
The Beehive House is the older of Brigham Young's two Salt Lake City residences. Designed by temple architect Truman Angell and built in 1854, it stands today as a museum offering tours of what life was like for the Young family back in 1855.
Shortly after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, founder of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young (born 1801) was placed at the head of the fledgling organization. He earned the nickname "The American Moses" by leading the beleaguered church members from Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 to escape persecution. Once in Utah, Young labored tirelessly to establish a civilization in this mountainous, dry region. He served as territorial governor from 1850-1856 in addition to his role as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ultimately overseeing more than 350 settlements throughout present-day Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Alberta, Canada. Stalwart and determined, yet kind and loving, he died in Salt Lake City in 1877.
This strong work ethic and the value of industriousness give the Beehive House its motif, as the image of beehive sits atop the house. The name of the mansion is drawn from this theme, the beehive being a symbol of diligence and productivity. In fact, the beehive is a prominent symbol throughout Utah today, reminding residents of the pioneer legacy that Brigham Young helped to establish.
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