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Published: June 21st 2007
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Beehive House
These hollyhocks were absolutely beautiful I arrived in Salt Lake City, a 300 mile drive from St. George, at about 2 p.m. I still get pretty “strung-up” the day I am traveling so just took it easy, finished my Zion blog etc. The scenery on the journey up here changed from the craggy canyons and red cliffs to big wide valleys bustling with all kinds of agriculture. I am staying in a KOA (Kampgrounds of America) park. This park is huge, 174 short term spaces, at least 20 tent sites and a further 100+ spaces for folks who chose to stay for an extended period. I don’t think there is a state that isn’t represented here as well as several Canadian provinces. I am sure a lot of folks come here strictly to do genealogy in addition to sight see.
This morning I was up and at-em bright and early. Did my early morning walking and caught the free shuttle bus from the campground down to Temple Square. There was a guide on the bus who was very informative and helped me decide where to go first, so I headed for the Convention Center because it has a garden on it’s roof and since
Rooftop Garden
The garden on the roof of the Convention Center it was already approaching 80 degrees I thought I’d better do that sooner rather than later. Apparently, when they were excavating the foundation for the building they found several underground springs so they borrowed the water to bring to life this unbelievable roof garden. The space is sectioned off into the various areas of Utah and plants native to that area are planted in that section. A waterfall flows over the edge of the building down to ground level. A part of Salt Lake City sits over a earthquake fault and although there has never been an earthquake here most of the buildings are built to withstand a quake of considerable strength.
From the Convention Center I went to the first of Brigham Young’s houses. Quite lavish for the time period I would think. He was of course the President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, and the first Governor of Utah. This house is called the “Beehive” house, the main house was built in 1854. The beehive represents industriousness and there is a carved beehive incorporated in a lot of the furniture, on the top of the copula and on the porch rails, stair rails,
Flowerbeds
There are flowers everywhere etc. etc. Brigham Young moved from the Beehive house to the Lion House in 1856, they have converted this house to a very reasonably priced restaurant, so I ate lunch here. Now I can say “I ate in a house that Brigham Young once lived in.”
After lunch it was time to get serious! When the pioneers arrived in Utah, Brigham Young designated a place for “The Temple” and building was started in 1853. It was decided to build it with granite stone that was accessible 40 miles away and building took more than 40 years to complete. It is of course off-limits to everyone who is not LDS, so I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get in there, but the grounds are unbelievable. Check out the great brick paving!! There are bronze statues and flowers everywhere, the perfume is wonderful. I’ve included several pictures of the flowers and indoor floral displays. I really liked the Assembly Hall, this building was also started in 1853, but was finished in 1882 and used as the worship center until the Temple was finished more than 10 years later.
Organ recitals are offered twice daily in the Tabernacle--but the
Temple
Outstanding building Tabernacle organ is under repair so the recitals have been moved to the Convention Center--of which I am glad. I took advantage of one of them and it was wonderful. (The Convention Center actually turns out to be where the Christmas concerts are televised.) The structure is built in such a way that no supporting pillars are required to obstruct the view of anyone seated in the 21000 capacity auditorium. (I am no engineer so couldn’t fully understand the explanation but apparently the building floats on several support beams high in the dome. )
The tour guides for all the buildings are the young female LDS that are on their “Mission”. The Beehive House tour was presented by a girl from Essex, England and a girl from Venezuela; my second tour around Temple Square was presented by a girl from New York State and a girl from Portugal, I spoke with a girl from Australia and a girl from Washington State and I saw a couple of girls from Germany. I spent 6 hours going through all the buildings and can honestly say that I was impressed and enjoyed every minute, and I think I now know a bit
Assembly Hall
The Mormons used this building for ten years before the Temple was complete more about Mormon or LDS history. Incidentally, I went into the genealogy library and I guess there aren’t a lot of records for English, Welsh, Scottish or Dutch ancestors. I couldn’t find any of mine or Wally’s.
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