Dublin Core
Title
UPTLA #34
Description
Eagle Gate
Creator
Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association
Date
1934
Identifier
UPTLA-034
Curatescape Story Item Type Metadata
Subtitle
Eagle Gate
Story
Original Plaque Text:
"The Eagle Gate was erected in 1859, Hiram B. Clawson, Designer; Ralph Ramsay and William Bell, Carvers. It formed a part of a Cobble-Stone wall, 8 feet high and 500 rods long, which surrounded the grounds of President Brigham Young and was built by him as a protection against Indians, and to furnish labor to the unemployed. Torn down in 1890 to widen the tree and to permit the passage of electric cars. Rebuilt in 1891." When the Eagle Gate was reconstructed and dedicated October 5, 1891, a treasure box was sealed in the granite base containing newspapers, photographic views, personal cards and a copper plate engraved by David McKenzie, containing the paragraph quoted above. The 16-foot wooden eagle, weighing 500 pounds, the beehive and four-way wooden supports were placed in March 1859, over the original gate way, leading to City Creek Canyon and the private grounds of Brigham Young, Governor of Utah. At the time of reconstruction the original wooden eagle was sent to Chicago, electroplated with copper and replaced over the present gate.
Current Plaque Text:
The Eagle Gate marked the entrance to the homestead of Brigham Young. During the early settlement of the valley, Brigham Young was allotted the land lying athwart the mouth of City Creek Canyon. His New England heritage prompted him to desire the privacy given by a high wall around the property as well as for the protection it afforded. Erected in 1859, the gate has through the years become the symbol of the man who built it. The original eagle and the supporting beehive were carved from five laminated wooden blocks and rested upon curved wooden arches, having their anchor on the cobble-stone wall surrounding the estate. Large wooden gates closed the twenty-two foot opening at night, securing behind them the Beehive House, the Lion House, and the private offices between them, the beautiful flower gardens, the private school, and the barns, sheds, granaries, silk worm cocooneries, orchards, and 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 again widened, the wood under the copper plating had deteriorated, and the eagle could not be remounted. This bronze gateway, its eagle a scale enlargement of the original, has been erected as a tribute to the pioneers who founded this commonwealth.
"The Eagle Gate was erected in 1859, Hiram B. Clawson, Designer; Ralph Ramsay and William Bell, Carvers. It formed a part of a Cobble-Stone wall, 8 feet high and 500 rods long, which surrounded the grounds of President Brigham Young and was built by him as a protection against Indians, and to furnish labor to the unemployed. Torn down in 1890 to widen the tree and to permit the passage of electric cars. Rebuilt in 1891." When the Eagle Gate was reconstructed and dedicated October 5, 1891, a treasure box was sealed in the granite base containing newspapers, photographic views, personal cards and a copper plate engraved by David McKenzie, containing the paragraph quoted above. The 16-foot wooden eagle, weighing 500 pounds, the beehive and four-way wooden supports were placed in March 1859, over the original gate way, leading to City Creek Canyon and the private grounds of Brigham Young, Governor of Utah. At the time of reconstruction the original wooden eagle was sent to Chicago, electroplated with copper and replaced over the present gate.
Current Plaque Text:
The Eagle Gate marked the entrance to the homestead of Brigham Young. During the early settlement of the valley, Brigham Young was allotted the land lying athwart the mouth of City Creek Canyon. His New England heritage prompted him to desire the privacy given by a high wall around the property as well as for the protection it afforded. Erected in 1859, the gate has through the years become the symbol of the man who built it. The original eagle and the supporting beehive were carved from five laminated wooden blocks and rested upon curved wooden arches, having their anchor on the cobble-stone wall surrounding the estate. Large wooden gates closed the twenty-two foot opening at night, securing behind them the Beehive House, the Lion House, and the private offices between them, the beautiful flower gardens, the private school, and the barns, sheds, granaries, silk worm cocooneries, orchards, and 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 again widened, the wood under the copper plating had deteriorated, and the eagle could not be remounted. This bronze gateway, its eagle a scale enlargement of the original, has been erected as a tribute to the pioneers who founded this commonwealth.
Factoid
The Eagle Gate was struck by a truck in 1960 and damaged. There was already a plan to widen State Street so the Eagle and supports were removed. Pillars were removed in 1961.
New Eagle Gate was dedicated on Nov. 1, 1963. Plaque was displayed at dedication.
https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s69c7b54
https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6sf38xp
Contents of the "Treasure Box" were found damaged in 1963 and placed back into new stone box currently under present location.
In 2022, the original plaque was discovered in the basement of the home previously owned by Horace A. Sorensen who was a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and the owner of the old Pioneer Village. It is now on display at the DUP museum in Salt Lake City, under the original Eagle.
