If all that walking between the Capitol and Washington Square has left you winded during recent protests, you may have stopped in for a short break at the Brigham Young Historic Park, at the northeast corner of State Street and North Temple.
Developed in the 1990s as a collaborative effort between Salt Lake City planners and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the park was part of a larger vision to humanize the downtown business district. It works in tandem with City Creek Park across the street, with both areas linked by a pedestrian walkway and City Creek itself, which was partially daylighted to reconnect visitors with the natural waterway that once powered early industry in the valley.
The park occupies land that was once part of the estate of Brigham Young. Nearby, you’ll still find his residence, the Beehive House, and offices in the Lion House. What was once a working homestead with barns, orchards, vegetable gardens, and cobblestone walls has been transformed into a green oasis where history and art intersect.
At the heart of the park are a series of detailed bronze sculptures that portray scenes from pioneer life—handcart travel, stonecutting, plowing and planting, children at play in irrigation ditches. A waterwheel, reminiscent of those used during Brigham Young’s time to power mills along City Creek Canyon, is installed near the stage on the north side of the park, backed by the calming flow of the creek.
Brigham Young is a well enough known figure in the state. But we wonder: who made these sculptures? Digging through old newspaper stories, official and unofficial websites, and the park itself, we couldn’t find any mention of the artist. Anyone know?
In public sculpture, the artist shouldn’t overshadow the events or individuals being commemorated—but until the day AI creates our public artwork, acknowledging the creator still seems appropriate.
All images by Steve Coray.
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Categories: Art Lake City | In Plain Site | Visual Arts
