Set amidst the sprawling landscape of This Is the Place Heritage Park stands the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse. Ever wonder how a farmhouse became a centerpiece in a historical park? The Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse wasn’t always here. It originally stood near 700 East and 2300 South in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young, Utah’s first governor and a prominent leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commissioned the farmhouse in 1861. Completed in 1863, the farmhouse was a unique blend of function and style, designed by Young himself, along with Truman O. Angell and A. J. Downing. It was built on Brigham Young’s expansive 600-acre farm, an area he affectionately named Forest Farm due to the existing trees, and many more he planted.
The Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse became a hub of activity. It wasn’t just a farmhouse. It served as a place to entertain visiting dignitaries and guests. Imagine the lively atmosphere as music filled the air, couples twirled in square dances, and the aroma of delicious food wafted from the second-story ballroom, designed like those in traditional New England inns. This ballroom also echoed with laughter and conversation during dinner parties. The farm itself bustled with life. Thirty to forty farmhands were fed at the house, ensuring the smooth operation of the primarily dairy farm, producing butter and other dairy products for Young’s families.
But the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse was more than just a dairy farm. It was a hub of agricultural innovation. Young used the farm as an experimental station. He tested the viability of new crops in Utah’s climate and soil. Alfalfa and sugar beets, now staples in the region, were first cultivated here. Even mulberry trees for silkworms and imported registered cattle found a home on this diverse farm. One can picture Young walking through the fields, observing the progress of his experiments. Perhaps he envisioned Utah becoming a silk-producing region.
After Young’s death in 1877, the farm and the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse changed hands. In 1889, George Mousley Cannon purchased the land, and the area became known as Forest Dale. The farmhouse continued to serve the community, hosting Forest Dale Ward meetings from 1896 until a new chapel was built in 1903. Years later, in the 1950s, Frank and Gwen Wilcox unknowingly bought the house, oblivious to its historical significance. Upon discovering its connection to Brigham Young, they embarked on a restoration journey. Their dedication culminated in donating the house and its contents to the Church of Jesus Christ in 1968.
The final chapter of the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse’s journey began in 1975. The farmhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Then, it was traded to the State of Utah for the Brigham Young Winter Home in St. George. It was moved to its current location in This Is the Place Heritage Park. Here, the farmhouse stands as a testament to Brigham Young’s vision and ingenuity. It offers a glimpse into Utah’s agricultural past and the life of one of its most influential figures. As you stand before the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse, imagine the echoes of history within its walls, a story of innovation, community, and the enduring spirit of the pioneers.